How Much Are Our City Councilmembers Paid?

Anyone worried about extraneous government spending can take a sigh of relief — in Los Altos at least. 

Council members from the City of Los Altos and Town of Los Altos Hills consistently receive less than recommended maximum salary, according to a recent study of all California cities conducted by the Los Angeles Times and San Jose Mercury News.

According to the study, the maximum base salary for both Los Altos and Los Altos Hills councilmembers would be roughly $12,191, if factoring in the maximum number of 5 percent salary increases allowed since the law was passed in 1984. Records from 2010 show that the average Los Altos councilmember was paid a base salary of roughly $10,115, and the average Los Altos Hills councilmember was paid roughly $10,676.

There are two types of cities in California—“general law” cities, and “charter cities.” In 1984, a state law was passed that set a maximum amount for councilmember salaries in general law cities, based on a formula that factors in population fluctuations. The law indicates the maximum base salary for a councilmember should fall within the range of $3,600 to $12,000 per year, based on population.

The law allows for a maximum salary increase of 5 percent per year, that must be voted in by the council.

Both Los Altos and Los Altos Hills are general law cities, and therefore bound by that law.

The study indicates that some cities throughout the state attempt to circumvent the law with “loopholes” such as hefty automobile allowances—some as much as $800 per month—over-the-top office expense allowances, and health benefits, all of which do not fall within the base salary calculations.

Los Altos and Los Altos Hills councilmembers’ base salaries all fell below the maximum allowed by the state in 2010, and the average “miscellaneous” total for expenses fell below $270 for the year.

However, several councilmembers from Los Altos and Los Altos Hills were paid anywhere between $7,000-14,000 per year in health benefits, making their actual total compensation for the year much higher. For example, Los Altos Councilmember David Casas was paid $14,700 in health benefits in 2010, bringing his actual total compensation for the year to more than $18,000. Los Altos Hills Councilmember Jean Mordo was paid $13,527 in health benefits last year, bringing his actual total to $16,756.

Interestingly, though it is a charter city and therefore not bound by the salary law, the neighboring City of Palo Alto refused multiple times to release the amounts of health benefits paid to its councilmembers for the study.

In some cities, councilmembers that do not take advantage of the city health plan can opt for a cash payment instead. for example, some councilmembers take a cash payment of $125 per month if they opt out of the health plan.

Below is a listing of salaries paid to current Los Altos and Los Altos Hills councilmembers in the year 2010, as collected by the Los Angeles Times and the Mercury News. City officials’ salaries are also available anytime through public record.

NOTE: “Other” refers to additional cash payments including overtime pay. “Misc” refers to miscellaneous non-cash payments such as office expense allowances.

LOS ALTOS COUNCILMEMBER SALARIES

Average = $10,115

Max by law = $12,191

David Casas:

Base  and Gross: $3,600

Medical/Dental/Vision: $14,700

Misc: $106

= $18,406

Valorie Carpenter

Base and Gross: $3,600

Medical/Dental/Vision: $7,044

Misc: $117

= $10,761

Ronald Packard (Mayor)

Base and Gross: $3,600

Misc: $123

= $3,723

Megan Satterlee

Base and Gross: $3,600

Misc: $123

= $3,723

Jarret Fishpaw*

Base and Gross: $277

Misc: $7

= $284

* Since Fishpaw did not join the council until the end of the year, he earned only one month’s pay in 2010.

LOS ALTOS HILLS COUNCILMEMBER SALARIES

Average = $10,676

Max by law = $12,191

Jean Mordo:

Base and Gross: $3,000

Medical/Dental/Vision: $13,527

Misc: $230

= $16,756

Richard Larsen

Base and Gross: $3,000

Medical/Dental/Vision: $4,579

Misc: $230

= $7,808

Ginger Summit (Mayor)

Base and Gross: $3,000

Medical/Dental/Vision: $1,317

Misc: $230

= $4,547

Gary Waldeck*

Base and Gross: $250*

Medical/Dental/Vision: $19

Misc: $269

*Because Waldeck joined the council late in the year, he only earned one month’s pay in 2010.

John Radford:

Radford reports to Patch that he has declined both a monthly salary and any medical, dental or vision coverage from the Town.