Twentynine Palms council votes to raise member pay to $700 a month; higher proposal fails

The Twentynine Palms City Council voted unanimously on March 9 to set its monthly member compensation at $700, after a split earlier attempt to adopt a higher $825 amount failed.

City Manager Dr. Stone James (speaker 11) presented options under California Government Code section 36516, noting the council’s current $465 monthly stipend had been unchanged for 24 years. Staff provided several lawful pathways for an increase — a straight formula tied to years since the last increase, a population-tier approach (which would yield roughly $950 for the city), and CPI adjustments. Dr. Stone James said the state code includes safeguards that prevent a council from immediately granting itself a raise that takes effect for the current council; any increase voted on now would become effective at the next council changeover (December 2026).

Following public comment during the hearing, Council member Ramirez (speaker 10) moved to increase monthly pay to $825; the motion failed on a 2–3 roll-call vote. Council member Wright (speaker 2) then moved to set the salary at $700 per month; the motion passed on a 5–0 roll-call vote. The clerk recorded the outcome as approved 5–0.

Supporters at the public hearing argued council members put in significant hours and deserve compensation closer to peer cities; opponents and some council members cautioned about timing and budget optics given other possible tax measures under discussion.

Council members and staff emphasized that any increase would not be paid until the new council takes office in December 2026, consistent with state safeguards described in the staff presentation.

Procedural notes: the council approved the consent calendar earlier in the meeting by a separate 5–0 vote.