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San Bernardino council approves city clerk contract after contentious debate over process and pay
Summary
The City Council approved an employment agreement for the city clerk on a 6-1 vote amid criticism from one council member about the hiring process and pay increases; the contract sets a $161,000 starting salary, a planned April 2026 increase to $169,000 subject to evaluation, vehicle allowance and six months' severance.
The San Bernardino City Council approved a new employment agreement for the city clerk on a 6-1 vote after extended debate about process, recruitment and pay.
Council members voted to appoint the clerk and authorize an employment contract that begins at an annual base salary of $161,000. The contract calls for an increase to $169,000 effective April 5, 2026, contingent on a professional evaluation and an executed contract amendment. Thereafter the contract provides annual automatic increases tied to the consumer price index with a maximum of 3 percent.
The contract also specifies a vehicle allowance of $725 per pay period for use of a personal vehicle on city business, at-will employment status, paid leave per the executive compensation plan, and severance equal to six months of base salary and benefits if terminated. The city attorney read the economic terms into the record before the vote.
Council debate centered on process. Council member Ortiz opposed the contract and the hiring procedure, saying that the council had not seen candidates’ resumes or conducted an open recruitment; she called for a formal recruitment and questioned the timing of a significant salary increase while departments were asked to freeze hiring and take cuts. "This is not a personal thing," Ortiz said during her remarks. "What it is is the status quo…we didn't request this item to be put on the agenda." Ortiz voted no.
Other council members defended the council’s decision and the selected candidate, saying the appointee had long experience in the clerk’s office and had been recommended by previous leadership. Some members noted the job description allows a combination of education and experience and that an internal promotion can be appropriate when a qualified, experienced employee is available. Council members also cited the city’s need for continuity in that office.
The motion to approve was moved and seconded; the council recorded a 6-1 vote with Council member Ortiz opposed and Mayor Helen Tran and the other members voting yes. Council directed staff to proceed with the contract as modified on the record (the attorney clarified the April 2026 increase would be contingent on a performance evaluation).
