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Downey council votes to seek voter approval for $1,000 monthly stipend while keeping reimbursements
Summary
Council directed staff to draft a standalone charter amendment for the November ballot to provide a $1,000 monthly stipend to council members while maintaining current monthly reimbursements; the measure was authorized after debate about reimbursement vs. compensation and equity, and will return to council for final language. Council Member Sosa voted no.
At its March meeting the Downey City Council voted to direct staff to prepare a standalone charter amendment for the November ballot that would provide a $1,000 monthly stipend to each council member while retaining the current monthly reimbursement structure for local business expenses.
The motion to draft ballot language was introduced on the council dais and seconded; the measure passed with one dissenting vote. Council Member Sosa recorded the lone vote against the directive to put the stipend before voters.
Council members framed the move as an effort to reduce financial barriers to public service rather than to convert the office into a salaried position. Staff told the council that the city’s charter and ordinances historically treated the role as volunteer and provided a monthly reimbursement intended to cover out‑of‑pocket costs; those amounts were established in prior ordinances and adjusted by CPI over time. Several council members said those reimbursements have not kept pace with the demands of modern service and can deter candidates who cannot afford the time or lost wages.
“Reimbursement exists to cover the cost associated with serving,” one council member said during debate, while another argued the change should be presented to voters so residents can decide whether to amend the charter.
City staff will prepare and return to council proposed ballot wording and the precise implementation mechanics; because the proposal would amend the city charter, final approval requires a majority vote of Downey voters in November. Council members also directed staff to present the proposed language to the council for review before placement on the ballot.
What happens next: staff will draft the amendment language and return to council for review. If the council approves final language, the amendment would appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot as a separate charter measure for voter consideration.
