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Loomis council directs pay increase for planning commissioners, confirms two appointments and committee roster
Summary
The Loomis Town Council agreed to raise the monthly stipend for planning commissioners to $125 and confirmed two planning-commission appointments and a slate of council committee assignments, with council saying the change recognizes commissioners’ time and workload.
The Loomis Town Council voted to adopt a new monthly stipend of $125 for members of the town’s Planning Commission and confirmed two planning-commission appointments and a set of mayor-proposed committee assignments.
Council members said the extra pay was meant as recognition for commissioners’ time preparing for complex land-use matters, even in months when meetings are canceled. “They’ve already made adjustments in their life for a meeting,” Councilmember Jean Wilson told the council, describing review work that continues even when an agenda is later canceled.
Town Manager Wes Merritt reviewed regional pay comparisons and advised council that modest increases would be administratively straightforward; staff said a change of $100 per commissioner would add a few thousand dollars to the town’s annual budget. After discussion, council settled on $125 per month and directed staff to return a resolution for formal adoption. Staff said the adjustment would take effect immediately once the council-adopted resolution is processed.
The council also confirmed two planning-commission slots. The council reappointed Nate DiPillo and appointed Peggy Lee to the Planning Commission. Both appointments were ratified by council vote. Council members also approved the mayor’s recommended assignments to outside boards and internal ad hoc committees; the motion to adopt the committee roster passed unanimously.
Councilmembers and public speakers emphasized that the stipend is a modest token of appreciation rather than full compensation and that commissioners perform preparatory work between meetings, including site visits and document review. Long-serving Planning Commissioner Jean Wilson, speaking during public comment, said commissioners frequently review materials and perform background work even when an item is subsequently postponed.
Council voted on the committee roster and planning-commission confirmations by roll call; the motions passed unanimously. Staff said they will prepare the formal resolution to implement the stipend change for the council’s next meeting and begin processing payments once the resolution is adopted.
The council left other policy matters, including ordinance updates and capital planning, for future agendas.
