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Milpitas council votes to raise future salaries; change takes effect after 2026 election
Summary
The Milpitas City Council voted 4–1 to adopt a salary framework that would raise council pay to the maximum allowed by recent state law and set a higher annual amount for the mayor; the increases would take effect after the next municipal election and reflect CPI adjustments at staff's discretion when the ordinance returns for adoption.
The Milpitas City Council voted 4–1 on Sept. 2 to direct staff to draft an ordinance raising future elected‑official compensation to the maximum established under recent changes to California law and to set a larger increment for the mayor.
Assistant City Manager Matt Cano told the council the current mayoral salary is $13,569 per year and city council members receive $10,852.44 per year. He said state changes effective Jan. 1, 2024, allow Milpitas to set a base salary of $1,900 per month (roughly $22,800 per year) for council members; the mayor may receive an additional allowance above that base.
Councilmember William Lam proposed option D from staff’s report: set the council base at the allowable maximum (about $22,800 per year) and set the mayor’s total at $27,600 per year (about $2,300 per month). The motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Barbadillo, included asking staff to account for the consumer price index (CPI) increase between Jan. 1, 2024 and the date the ordinance returns to council so the numeric amounts reflect the statutory CPI adjustments.
Legal staff clarified that state law does not permit the council to approve prospective, automatic future raises; rather, staff will adjust the numbers brought back to reflect CPI increases that have already occurred between 01/01/2024 and the ordinance‑return date. Cano noted any pay increases for councilmembers would not take effect until at least one newly elected member is seated after the November 2026 election; the mayoral allowance could be made effective immediately or delayed, depending on council direction — council ultimately moved to have the change take effect after the next election so all members’ new pay would start concurrently.
Vice Mayor Barbadillo framed the action as a policy decision to encourage broader participation in public service; Councilmember Lianne dissented, citing the city's structural budget deficit and recommending deferral until fiscal conditions improve. Public commenter Voltaire Montemayor expressed support if the city budget allows.
Council votes: Vice Mayor Barbadillo — aye; Councilmember Chua — aye; Councilmember Lam — aye; Councilmember Lianne — nay; Mayor Carmen Montano — aye. The motion passed, 4–1. Staff will return with a draft ordinance incorporating the adopted parameters and CPI adjustment for council consideration.
