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Council Approves City Manager Raise; Narrow Vote Lowers Council Stipends
Summary
Cloverdale approved a salary increase for City Manager Kevin Thompson to $238,371 (including equity adjustment and a 3% COLA) and voted to reduce council monthly stipends from $950 to $300 after a contentious debate about equity, candidate diversity and fiscal priorities. The manager's raise was adopted; the stipend ordinance passed after re-taking the vote.
The Cloverdale City Council voted July 22 to adopt an amendment increasing City Manager Kevin Thompson’s compensation from approximately $209,012 to $238,371, combining an equity adjustment with a 3% cost‑of‑living increase and making it retroactive to July 1.
Council discussion acknowledged Thompson’s performance review and the personnel committee’s recommendation. A motion to adopt the resolution by title only passed and the vote was recorded; the clerk noted the tally and related roll‑call information.
Later in the meeting council debated whether to reduce council member stipends from $950 per month (the amount set under recent state allowance thresholds) to $300 per month. Public commenters and several council members argued the higher stipend helps broaden diversity among candidates, enabling working‑class residents and parents to serve. Other council members argued the city should demonstrate fiscal discipline and redirect funds to community priorities.
After an initial roll call and a brief procedural confusion, council retook the vote and adopted an ordinance lowering council member compensation to $300 per month. Some council members said an opt‑out arrangement would have preserved equity while allowing individual members to donate or decline pay, but the final ordinance sets the lower stipend to take effect in a future term as required by state law.
