City of Mountain View City Council Salaries, Measure A (November 2014)

Voting on Salaries of Government Officials
Ballot Measures
By state
By year
Not on ballot

A City of Mountain View City Council Salaries, Measure A ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the city of Mountain View in Santa Clara County, California. It was approved.

Measure A amended section 503 of the city charter to set the base salary of city council members at $1,000 per month. The measure also provided for an automatic annual adjustment.

Election results

City of Mountain View, Measure A
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		9,657	61.15%
No		6,136	38.85%

Election results via: Santa Clara County Elections Office

Text of measure

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

“

Should the City of Mountain View amend Section 503 of the City Charter to set the base salary of City Council at $1,000 per month, with an automatic annual adjustment, to become effective on January 1, 2015?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis was prepared for Measure A:

“	Mountain View Charter Section 503 establishes the amount of the compensation for the City Council members. Existing Section 503 provides that the monthly salary for each Mountain View Councilmember is based on salary ranges provided in state law for general law cities. State law sets council salaries based on the size of the city. The current monthly salary is $600 and the Mayor receives twenty-five percent (25%) additional salary or $750. The voters last amended this charter provision in 1984. If adopted, this ballot measure would amend Section 503 to replace the current provision with a baseline monthly salary for each Councilmember at $1,000 with the Mayor receiving an additional twenty-five percent (25%). The proposed charter amendment would go into effect on January 1, 2015. The monthly salary would thereafter be adjusted annually based on the lesser of the San Francisco Bay Area Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners or the average cost-of-living adjustment granted to the City's miscellaneous employee bargaining groups. The annual adjustment could not exceed five percent (5%) per year. Measure A also adds clarifying language based on state law regarding the calculation of the salary for Councilmembers. It provides that any amounts paid to a Councilmember for retirement, health and welfare, or federal social security benefits would not be included in the monthly salary calculation provided these same benefits are available and paid by the City for its employees. "Under the current charter provision, the salary of a Councilmember is reduced by twenty-five dollars ($25) for each meeting not attended unless that person is absent on official duty with the consent of or on order of the City Council. If this measure is adopted, a Councilmember's salary would only be reduced when he or she misses a regular meeting unless that person is absent on official duty with the consent of or on order of the City Council." Finally, Measure A retains language in existing Section 503 providing that the City Council has no power to increase the salary by ordinance, resolution or motion and that any further increase would have to be approved by the voters through a charter amendment. This measure was placed on the ballot by the governing body of the City.	”
—Jannie L. Quinn, Mountain View City Attorney

Support

Supporters

• Chris Clark, Mayor
• John McAlister, Vice Mayor
• Oscar Garcia, CEO, Mountain View Chamber of Commerce & Resident
• Nick Galiotto, Former Mayor
• Joan MacDonald, Resident & Community Volunteer

Arguments

The following was submitted as the official arguments in favor of Measure A:

“	In November, Mountain View voters will decide whether to set the salary of the City Council at $1,000 per month. We encourage you to VOTE YES! Council pay was initially set at $250 in 1968 and was increased by the voters to $500 in 1984 by adopting the State's population-based pay scale. Adjusted for inflation, the original $250 would be $1,700 today, and the $500 wage would be $1,140. Neighboring cities have either already changed or are considering updating their council salaries. Sunnyvale's council salary is now $2,194 per month, and a Palo Alto Council committee recently recommended adjusting their salary to $1,000. Councilmembers' responsibilities have expanded significantly as the City has grown. Councilmembers spend 20 to 30 hours a week on council duties, which include preparing for and attending weekly Council meetings and study sessions, serving on Council Committees, and representing the City's interests on regional agency boards. Additionally, Councilmembers attend numerous community forums and events, respond to public inquiries, and meet with constituents regarding the many issues important to Mountain View residents. Those who devote their time to public service deserve fair compensation. We believe a modest adjustment to $1,000 a month may increase the diversity of the Council and more fairly compensate its members. In summary, approving this measure will: Set the council salary at $1,000 per month Adjust the salary annually to the lesser of the Bay Area CPI, orthe average cost-of-living increase for the City's nonpublic safety employees, not to exceed 5% per year Authorize the absence of a Councilmember from a regular meeting with the Mayor's consent or for official city business We ask you to VOTE YES to ensure that Mountain View is represented by diverse, caring and hardworking Councilmembers who will devote the time and energy necessary to lead our city.	”
—Chris Clark, John McAlister, Oscar Garcia, Nick Galiotto and Joan MacDonald

Opposition

Opponents

• Gary Wesley, Long-time resident

Arguments

The following was submitted as the official arguments in opposition to Measure A:

“	The constitution of the City of Mountain View, called the "city charter," contains a provision which fixes the salaries of the 7 members of the elected City Council. Each Councilmember may receive $600/month in salary-while the member who is selected by the Council to serve as "mayor" for the year may receive an extra 25%. In June 2014, the City Council voted 4-2 (with one member absent) to place on the November ballot this proposed amendment to the city charter which would increase the base salary for Councilmembers to $1,000/month and provide for later increases based on inflation and not to exceed 5% per year. First of all, keep in mind that the salary is not the only compensation received by our city councilmembers. Councilmembers also qualify for: (1) all city benefits paid to full-time city employees; (2) expense accounts and reimbursements for authorized travel; (3) VIP tickets to the Shoreline Amphitheatre; (4) communication equipment; and (5) stipends for attending regional board meetings. Even more significantly, city councilmembers receive the authority to make critical decisions that affect the whole community (including themselves). In addition, councilmembers can use their positions to make potential business contacts and build a political resume and campaign contributors to run for higher office. Proponents of this measure properly bear the burden of showing that the proposed salary increased is justified-given the many other benefits received.	”
—Gary Wesley

See also

• Salaries of local officials on the ballot
• Local charter amendments on the ballot
• Santa Clara County, California ballot measures
• November 4, 2014 ballot measures in California

External links

Suggest a link

• Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters office website