Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Compensation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Norco council raises councilmember pay to $1,200 per month
Summary
After staff noted state compensation formulas and 25 years without an increase, council members debated equity and candidate access and unanimously approved raising monthly pay to $1,200 effective after the next election period.
City Attorney Colin explained the statutory framework for council compensation and recommended raising the monthly amount to $1,210 based on population thresholds and unused annual escalators. "You have not increased your compensation since 2001," Colin told the council, noting inflation and statutory allowances.
Councilmembers discussed whether to accept the increase and emphasized that members could opt out. Councilmember Basch and others argued the increase helps broaden the candidate pool by offsetting out-of-pocket costs such as travel and childcare. Councilmember Newton suggested a round number and moved to set the pay at $1,200 per month.
The council voted unanimously to approve the $1,200 monthly compensation level. The ordinance amending the municipal code was moved, seconded and approved on the record, and the council agreed the change would not take effect until after the applicable election cycle or as required by law.
The action authorizes staff to implement the payroll change consistent with state law and to communicate opt-out procedures to sitting and future council members.
