RTA board directs staff to draft policy after voting to pursue $50 pay increase for members

The Riverside Transit Agency Board of Directors voted to direct staff to develop a compensation policy and to consider increasing board member pay by $50 per day, a move intended to update the stipend that has not changed since 2008.

Counsel told the board that current procedures pay members $150 per day up to a maximum of $600 per month, with the chair eligible for up to $1,200 a month. Counsel referenced recent state discussions about official compensation and said that while certain state laws do not apply to RTA as a joint powers authority, the board is authorized under existing law to set its own rates.

"I would be very comfortable with a $50 increase to 200," said Director Arianna, who moved to send the proposal back to staff with direction to draft a policy that could include a regular escalator and a biennial review. Director Sheridan, who asked to be candid about his reelection status, said he supported increasing compensation so that the board remains accessible to people who might otherwise be unable to serve.

Staff offered preliminary fiscal context: under the current $150 rate the agency pays roughly $108,898 (calendar year 2025), and staff noted that increasing the rate to $200 would add approximately $31,000 to that total. Board members referenced pay levels at peer agencies (OCTA, WRCOG, RCTC, Omnitrans, Long Beach Transit, SunLine, LA Metro) as part of the discussion.

The motion to have staff draft a policy and consider a $50 increase was seconded and put to an electronic vote. The chair announced the result as 19 yes, 1 no, and the motion passed. Staff will return with a proposed policy and detailed fiscal analysis at a future meeting.

Next steps: staff will prepare the compensation policy and provide a fiscal impact analysis for board review.