Report Prepared by: Jennifer Levesque, Assistant City Clerk, City Clerk’s Office
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SUBJECT: Approval of the Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission’s Written Recommendation to the City Council Regarding the Recommended City Council Monthly Stipend to be $500 and the Mayor’s Monthly Stipend to be $600
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers the approval of the Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission’s written recommendation to increase the monthly stipend for the City Council and the Mayor.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving Resolution 2024-78, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, adopting the Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission’s recommendation to increase the monthly stipend it deems appropriate for the City Council and the Mayor pursuant to Section 402 of the City of Merced Charter; and,
B. Approving a Supplemental Appropriation from the unreserved, unencumbered General Fund balance of $4,522 to cover the cost of the City Council stipend from January 2025 through June 2025.
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ALTERNATIVES
1. Accept the Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission’s written recommendation; or,
2. Continue to a future meeting for further discussion or,
3. Deny the item.
AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter, Section 402.
DICUSSION
At the March 2020 Primary Election, citizens voted in favor of establishing a Citizens’ Stipend Advisory Commission. The Citizen’s Stipend Advisory Commission consist of seven (7) members to be appointed by the City Council from the qualified electors of the City. Six (6) members will be appointed by district and one (1) member will be appointed at large.
The Commission shall hold two (2) public hearings between March 1st and June 30th of every even-numbered year and shall recommend, by majority vote and in writing, to the Council the amount of the monthly stipend which it deems appropriate for the members of the Council for the two (2) year period beginning January 1st of the next year. The amount recommended for each council member shall be the same.
The Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission held their first Public Hearing meeting on April 18, 2024. During that meeting the Commission learned their roles and duties and then selected a Chair and Vice-Chair. Staff and Commission then began the discussion of the Council’s current stipend, the history of Council stipend, other City’s Council stipend, time study of the Council, and economic impact. The Commission asked for more information to be brought to them at the next Public Hearing meeting.
Staff scheduled a Public Hearing meeting on May 16, 2024, but was cancelled due to a lack of quorum. Staff then scheduled another Public Hearing meeting on May 30, 2024, but again was cancelled due to a lack of quorum. Commissioner Aldana resigned from the Commission on May 30, 2024, due to a work schedule conflict.
The Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission was finally able to meet on June 20, 2024, Staff and Commissioners discussed the Council’s current stipend, the growth of the City, the state of the economy, the amount of time Council spends on City business, and whether to increase or keep the stipend the same. Ultimately, the Commission unanimously decided to increase the Council and Mayor’s stipend by $100 per month.
At their June 27, 2024, Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission meeting, Commissioners approved their written recommendation that will then go before Council for consideration.
Staff respectfully request that the Council formally accepts the Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission’s recommendation to increase the City Council’s monthly stipend to $500 and the Mayor’s monthly stipend to $600. The cost of the increase to the stipend is $9,043 annually.
IMPACT ON RESOURCES
The additional stipend amount increases City Council personnel costs by $9,043 annually. A supplemental appropriation in the amount of $4,522 from the unreserved, unencumbered General Fund balance is needed to cover the cost of the increase for the stipend for six months in the current fiscal year. The additional stipend cost will be included in the budget process in future years.
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ATTACHMENTS
1. Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission’s Written Recommendation
2. Resolution 2024-78