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Council hears summary of SB 329 changes to council compensation rules
Summary
City Attorney Elizabeth Hall briefed council on 2024's Senate Bill 329 changes affecting local elected-official pay: future increases may be set at the greater of 5% per year or an inflation measure; any change will take effect only when a newly seated member method triggers implementation.
The council received an informational briefing on state changes to local elected-official compensation rules arising from Senate Bill 329.
City Attorney Elizabeth Hall summarized the statutory update and how it interacts with the council's recent compensation actions. Hall said the council had increased compensation in 2024 (mayor to $1,540 monthly; council members to $1,155 monthly). She said SB 329 (2024) amended Government Code section 36516 to allow future increases either at 5% per calendar year or an amount tied to inflation since Jan. 1, 2024, whichever is greater, with a cap not to exceed 10% per calendar year.
Hall explained that because council salaries were set in 2024, there is no immediate automatic change; any subsequent increase would become effective when the procedural trigger in state law applies (the transcript notes an effective implementation timing tied to seating of new members or later calendar years). The council did not take an action to change compensation at the meeting; the item was a receive-and-file briefing.
Ending
Council members spoke in favor of ensuring compensation does not deter otherwise qualified residents from running; no formal direction was adopted and any change would require future council action consistent with state law and the implementation timing described by the city attorney.
