REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Adopt a Resolution Approving and Adopting the Updated Unclassified Salary Plan for Various Positions including the Updated Salaries of the Mayor and Council Members and the City Clerk
Report
BACKGROUND
The Salary Setting Commission, consisting of five members appointed by the Civil Service Commission, is responsible for establishing the compensation for the Mayor and Council Members (Charter Section 702), City Clerk (SCCC 2.20.015), and Police Chief (SCCC 2.80.015). For 2025, four Commissioners attended all scheduled meetings. The fifth commissioner did not attend any sessions and resigned from the Commission.
In its evaluation, the Salary Setting Commission would be free to utilize any data and information that it deemed appropriate in setting the compensation for these positions, but in no event would any increases in salary granted by the Commission exceed 10 percent of the previous figure. After completing its discussion and analysis, the Commission adopted three separate Resolutions.
When there are changes to the compensation, California Code Regulations Section 570.5 governs and requires the adoption of updated publicly available salary schedules by the governing body. The City of Santa Clara contracts with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) to provide retirement benefits for employees in both classified and unclassified positions. When modifications are made to the salary schedules for its classified or unclassified positions, the City Council must approve and adopt the publicly available salary plans to comply with California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 570.5. If the City Council does not approve these resolutions, the City will be non-compliant with CalPERS record keeping and reporting requirements. The City of Santa Clara is a contracting agency with CalPERS and is required to comply with its requirements.
DISCUSSION
The Commission met from February 2025, through April 2025, to discuss the salaries for the position of Mayor and City Council Members, City Clerk, and Police Chief for the period of July 1, 2025, up to and including June 30, 2027. As part of this evaluation, the Commission was presented with information including, but not limited to: the history of salary increases for these positions; comparator agency salary levels; requirements for the position of the City Clerk and Police Chief under the City Charter; and recently negotiated agreements the City’s bargaining units. Upon thorough review and consideration of the various data, the Commission approved the following resolutions.
On or about March 3, 2025, the Commission approved a resolution which includes the following changes:
• For the position of Mayor, the salary shall be increased from $2,625 to $2,750 per month for the period of July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
• For the position of City Council Member, the salary shall be increased from $2,100 to $2,200 per month for the period of July 2026, to June 30, 2027.
On or about March 17, 2025, the Commission approved a resolution which includes the following changes:
• For the position of City Clerk, the salary shall be increased from $1,575 to $1,650 per month for the period of July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
The Commission also passed a resolution on or about April 7, 2025, for the position of Police Chief that included, among other things, a salary increase for the period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027, but did not include any salary increase specifically effective in July 2026.
The City Code allocates the right and responsibility for reaching this decision to the Salary Setting Commission. The City Council does not have the legal authority to overturn or modify this decision. However, the City Code does state that “The City Council shall take all necessary legislative action to implement the salary set by the Salary Setting Commission.” In accordance with CalPERS regulations, the adoption of an updated salary schedule is a necessary legislative action.
The recommendation includes approval of a Resolution that amends the Unclassified/Elected Salary Plan for the positions of Mayor, City Council Member, and City Clerk.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The additional costs for providing the increases to the positions of Mayor, Council Member, and City Clerk are outlined below, including salaries and benefits.
|
Position |
FY 2026/27 |
|
Mayor |
$2,010 |
|
City Council Members |
$9,259 |
|
City Clerk |
$1,206 |
The position costs for the Council Offices and City Clerk are budgeted as part of the FY 2026/27 Adopted Operating Budget.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the Finance Department.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution to approve the revised Unclassified/Elected Salary Plan for the positions of Mayor, City Council Member, and City Clerk which reflects the salary increase granted by the Salary Setting Commission, to satisfy the requirements of California Code of Regulations Section 570.5, effective July 1, 2026.
Staff
Reviewed by: Marco Mercado, Acting Director of Human Resources
Approved by: Jōvan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. 25-1 of the Salary Setting Commission Setting the Compensation of the Mayor and City Council Members
2. Resolution No. 25-2 of the Salary Setting Commission Setting the Compensation of the City Clerk
3. Unclassified Salary Plan (effective July 1, 2026) approved July 7, 2026
4. Unclassified Salary Plan (effective July 5, 2026) approved July 7, 2026
5. Resolution Updated Unclassified Salary Plan (for 7-7-2026)