REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Note and File the Resolutions of the Salary Setting Commission Increasing the Salary for the positions of Mayor and City Council Member, and City Clerk by Approximately 10% for the period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027, and Setting the Benefits for the Position of Police Chief to Align with the Unit 9A Memorandum of Agreement, and Increasing the Salary for the position of Police Chief by 2.5% to $353,686.56 annually; and Action to Adopt a Resolution Approving and Adopting the Updated Unclassified/Elected Salary Plan for the positions of Mayor and City Council Member, City Clerk, and Police Chief for the Period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Communication Engagement and Transparency
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...
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