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Council introduces ordinance to increase mayor and council salaries after commission recommendation
Summary
Following a citizen salary-setting commission recommendation, the council introduced and waived first reading of an ordinance that would raise the mayor's salary to $57,348 and council members' salaries to $31,860; the action passed on a 6–0 vote and would require a second reading to take effect.
The Modesto City Council on May 12 introduced an ordinance that would increase compensation for the mayor and council members consistent with recommendations from the citizen salary-setting commission.
City attorney (staff) explained the commission’s process and the charter limits that cap mayoral pay at 50% of a Superior Court judge’s salary and council pay at 50% of the Modesto metropolitan statistical area median family income. The staff presentation noted the commission reviewed comparable cities, CPI changes and local budget information before issuing its recommendation.
The commission recommended raising the mayor’s annual salary from $54,000 to $57,348 and council members’ annual salary from $30,000 to $31,860. The council opened and closed a public hearing on the item and then voted to introduce and waive first reading of an ordinance to amend the Modesto Municipal Code to adopt those compensation changes. The motion carried unanimously, 6–0.
The ordinance requires a second reading and a 20-day notice before it can take effect; the staff memo cited the charter process and related limitations. Council members who spoke called the commission’s work thorough and noted the charter constrains the range of adjustments.
