Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Novato council votes to introduce ordinance to raise member stipend; exact final amount to be finalized
Summary
After a staff labor-market presentation and public comment, the council voted 4-1 to introduce an ordinance to increase monthly council compensation and directed staff to return with finalized ordinance language; the change will take effect after the next municipal election.
Novato City Council on March 24 voted to introduce an ordinance to update council compensation, following a staff presentation about updated state caps and a city labor-market analysis.
Chief People Officer Eva Hilliard presented staff's recommendation to modernize the monthly stipend (currently $400) to reduce barriers to public service and better reflect the time commitment of council duties. Hilliard cited state law changes (SB 329) that raise permissible maximums by population band and a labor-market analysis showing the existing stipend is substantially below local medians.
"It is important to note that any new rate that goes into effect that you approve as a result of the ordinance would not go into effect until after the November election," Hilliard said. Staff noted a range of choices available to council under state law and suggested an amount aligned with the city's compensation philosophy.
During council debate, some members recommended incremental increases; others urged adopting a level that reduces barriers to service for working families. A motion to introduce the staff-recommended ordinance carried on a 4-1 vote (Councilmember Eklund voted no). Councilmembers also noted that the ordinance language needs a technical correction: the staff slide included a numeric transcription ambiguity that staff will clarify before final adoption.
The ordinance is slated to take effect after the next general municipal election in accordance with state law. Staff will return with corrected ordinance language and the precise stipend figure for a subsequent hearing and final vote.
