San Carlos is now among several cities in San Mateo County to move swiftly in raising councilmember compensation, as a recent state law increased pay caps for such elected officials in general law cities.
The City Council’s current monthly salary, last increased in 2018, stands at $560 and will be raised to $950 following this year’s November election, the maximum increase permitted under the new state legislation for a city of its size. Senate Bill 329 went into effect this year and set new baseline thresholds ranging from $950 to $3,200, depending on the jurisdiction’s population. Compensation can still increase beyond those initial limits, not to exceed 5% each year or the rate of inflation, whichever is greater. If the raise is based on the latter, it cannot exceed 10%.
All councilmembers supported the measure unanimously, echoing similar sentiments on the ordinance’s opportunity to broaden the diversity of candidates on the council.
“Low compensation for public officials shuts out a number of qualified candidates, particularly low-income residents, single parents, working-class residents, people of color and young people who would bring a much-needed perspective to the council. So it’s really sort of a diversity issue that a lot of people may not have thought about,” Councilmember Ron Collins said.
Councilmember Sara McDowell also proposed taking the efforts a step further by starting discussions around a child care fund for elected officials who support young families.
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“When I joined the council in 2018, going into 2019, my kids were still little, and in order to sit here in these evening meetings, plus serve on all of the extra boards and commissions and council subcommittees … I had to hire babysitters, and my council salary didn’t even cover that one expense,” McDowell said. “If we want to attract the best and the brightest to fill these roles, and if we want a council that is diverse with varied backgrounds and ages and not just people who are independently wealthy and retired who can do this job as a hobby, then we have to pay as much as we are able.”
Other councilmembers voiced support, with Councilmember Adam Rak suggesting a fund to help with more general caretaking-related expenses.
Currently, cities such as Burlingame and Belmont pay councilmembers $590 and $390 each month, respectively, although the latter is in the early stages of increasing compensation to the $950 maximum rate.
Per state law, any increase approved by a city council can go into effect only after an upcoming election. The cost of the city’s approved increase will be approximately $17,000 in general funds and about $34,000 thereafter, provided future increases are approved.
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