HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4a. COMPARISON CITIES COMPENSATION DATA Council Compensation Committee
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 10/22/2025
Item Number: 4a
Estimated Time: 30 Minutes
FROM: Nickole Domini, Director of Human Resources
Prepared By: Jeff Andrews, Human Resources Manager
SUBJECT: COMPARISON CITIES COMPENSATION DATA
RECOMMENDATION
1. Receive and file the 2025 market survey of council compensation and advisory body
stipends for nine comparison agencies.
2. Receive a presentation on the comparison cities compensation analysis.
3. Provide direction on additional information the Committee would like staff to provide
DISCUSSION
Staff completed an analysis of 2025 City Council and Mayor compensation across a set
of comparable California cities, see Attachment A. Including data for the City of San Luis
Obispo (SLO), the study focuses on monthly salary and related benefits for elected
officials in nine benchmark agencies: Chico, Davis, Monterey, Napa, Paso Robles, Santa
Barbara, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, and Ventura. This summary presents the results for
review by the Council Compensation Committee.
As noted in the Council adopted Compensation Philosophy, the relevant labor market is
primarily defined by the geographic region (local, state-wide, or national) and key markets
(municipal, other government agencies, private sector) where labor talent is found,
recruited from, and/or lost. The Council comparison cities were also selected for their
labor market relevance, population range, and governance structures similar to SLO. The
survey data were collected from public records, official compensation resolutions, and
information obtained directly from comparison agency human resources and clerks
offices in September and October 2025; the results reflect the most current compensation
information available1.
Mayor salaries at the comparison agencies ranged from $700 to $6,600 per month, with
Council Member monthly salaries ranging from $600 to $5,287. Excluding SLO, median
values are approximately $2,118 per month for mayors and $1,571 per month for council
members. San Luis Obispo’s current monthly rates – $2,923 for the Mayor and $2,319
1 The cities of Davis, Santa Cruz, and Santa Maria did not respond to written or phone requests, and the information
was not readily available on their websites. Staff will continue to follow up with the requests and update the committee.
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Item 4a
for Council Members, as set by Resolution 11482 (2024 Series) – are positioned above
the market median.
The analysis also reviewed the provision of benefits and other forms of compensation
offered to elected officials. Seven of the nine peer agencies reporting provide a monthly
cafeteria or health contribution to elected officials. Some agencies provide allowances,
including reimbursement for business expenses, mileage stipends, and technology
allowances such as a City-issued mobile phone and monthly stipends for home internet
connectivity.
The study also considered contextual and workload factors that may influence
compensation levels. San Luis Obispo’s population is approximately 49,700, with a
median household income of roughly $66,700 and a median home sales price of $1.03
million as of May 2025. The Council meets approximately t wice per month under an
elected-mayor model, with estimated workloads averaging 20 hours per week for
members of the governing body. These characteristics place San Luis Obispo in the mid -
range of its comparison group for size and meeting frequency but in the upper range for
cost of living, which may partially explain the City’s compensation positioning above the
median.
In reviewing these results, San Luis Obispo’s elected officials receive compensation that
is slightly above average when compared to other agencies of similar size and scope.
The findings will assist the Committee in understanding SLO’s current position in the
market and in supporting any future policy discussions related to compensation
governance and periodic review.
ATTACHMENTS
A. 2025 Comparison Cities
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CITY
GENERAL/CHARTER
LAW CITY
POPULATION
(Census 7/1/2024
Est.)
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD
INCOME
(Census 2019-23)
MEDIAN HOME SALES
PRICE
(Zillow, May 2025)
ANNUAL CITY
BUDGET 25-26
UNFUNDED
PENSION LIABILITY
MAYOR - ELECTED
OR ROTATED
EXPECTED TIMES PER MONTH
CITY COUNCIL MEETS
ACTUAL TIMES PER MONTH CITY
COUNCIL MEETS
HOURS PER WEEK
CITY COUNCIL
WORKS
PAY FOR PLANNING
COMMISSION
PAY FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
COMMITTEE
PAY FOR OTHER
ADVISORY BODIES
Chico Charter 113,847 $67,929 $455,300 $204,400,000
$177,135,109 as of
June 2023 Rotated 2 2or 3 12-Oct No No No
Davis General 65,832 $89,386 $866,417 $250,605,639 Rotated 2 Varies Varies No no no
Monterey Charter 29,015 $104,110 $1,167,901 $120,713,605
$90,774,723 as of
June 2022 Elected 2 or 3 2 or 3 N/A
$25/meeting, up to
$75/month $25/meeting, up to $75/month
$25/meeting, up to
$75/month; A few
bodies:
Napa Charter 79,339 $103,601 $911,583 $163,192,210
$230M (65%
funded)Elected 2 2
Estimated at 20
hours/week $100/meeting N/A
Housing Authority -
$50 per meeting
Paso Robles General 31,061 $93,098 $759,695 $143,579,600
$46,060,255 as of
June 2025 Elected 2 2
Estimated at 10-20
per week $ - $ - $ -
Santa Barbara Charter 88,665 $106,800 $1,939,000 Elected 4
usually 4- 8, including special
meetings
approx 20 - 30
hours/week approx $50/25 meeting approx $50/25 meeting
approx $50/25
meeting for design
review boards
Santa Cruz Charter 62,581 $111,427 $1,281,111 $533,800,000 Elected 2 2
approx 20 - 30
hours/week $75/meeting N/A $75/meeting
Santa Maria Charter 109,987 $77,564 $642,333 Elected
Ventura Charter 109,058 $97,970 $895,667 $637,325,749 Rotated 2 2 or 3
20 - 30 hours per
week No No No
City of San Luis Obispo Charter 49,729 $66,711 $1,028,333 ~$192M Elected 2 2 20-30 hours per week
$86/meeting, up to
$347/mo $86/meeting, up to $347/mo N/A
Compensation for Other Commissions or Advisory BodiesComparison City Demographics and Meeting Information
City of San Luis Obispo Council and Advisory Body Compensation Survey 2025
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CITY
GENERAL/CHARTER LAW
CITY TYPE OF GOVERNMENT MAYOR SALARY / MONTH
CITY COUNCIL SALARY /
MONTH
CAFETERIA
CONTRIBUTION/MONTH CAFETERIA PLAN OPT OUT RETIREMENT FORMULA LIFE INSURANCE
AMOUNT REIMBURSED FOR
CITY BUSINESS/YEAR
MILEAGE ALLOWANCE
(Current IRS = $0.70/mile)OTHER ALLOWANCES
DATE CITY COUNCIL
COMPENSATION UPDATED
Chico Charter $2,280 $1,920
Employee: $682.49
Employee +1 $1,472.96
Employee =2 or more
$1,888.10
No allowed per government
code N/A N/A
Davis General Council - Mayor - City Manager $1,366 $1,366
Monterey Charter Council - Mayor - City Manager $1,418 $965
Employee: $997
Employee+1: $2,040
Family: $2,636 $300
2.7% @ 55 for Classic
Members
2% @ 62 for PEPRA Members
$65,000 provided by City;
Employee can purchase
higher coverage
The only current
reimbursement that applies to
the Council is the Employee
Travel policy, and the amount
is set annually in the budget.
For FY 25/26 the amount is
$11,300 to cover travel and
meetings for all 5 members of
Council. We are planning to
bring a Council-specific travel
policy (and new amount) to
the Council soon for
consideration.
n/a, actual mileage is
reimbursed (pursuant to
budget limitations)
health, dental, vision, life,
disability (short term and long
term) insurance coverage and
other optional open-
enrollment benefits; fitness
membership at City-owned
facility; City-issued laptop
Current amount: Sept 2023;
Effective 2027 amount: June
2025
Napa Charter Council - Mayor - City Manager $2,870 $1,435
Single: $874 health, $53
dental
2-party: $1,748 health, $90
dental
Family: $2,325 health, $138
dental $500
Tier 1: 2.7% at 55
Tier 2: 2.0% at 60
Tier 3/PEPRA/Council:
2.0% at 62
+3% cost share $100,000 Life and AD&D
For actual and necessary
expenses incurred in the
conduct of events separately
approved by City Council.
Mayor: Equal to a maximum of
$1,500 per month with an
annual maximum of $6,600
per year. Councilmember:
Equal to a maximum of $1,300
per month with an annual
maximum of $5,400 per year.
Auto allowance: $475/month
Retiree Health $347/mopnth
401 Deferred Comp
$300/month
2018 but will receive raise
after 2026 election to $1,900
mo for Council and $3,800 for
Mayor
Paso Robles General Council - Mayor - City Manager $1,540 $1,155
2025 Health -
EE: $813.24
EE+1: $1,569.73
Fam: $2,324.33
Dental -
EE: 100% covered ($35.30)
EE+1>: 96% covered ($83.70)
Vision -
100% covered all levels
Not allowed per government
code N/A N/A $5000 travel and training 250
City issued phone and
computer Jan-25
Santa Barbara Charter
Council - Mayor -
Administrator $6,609 $5,287 $1,731.62
2.7% @ 55 for Classic
Members
2% @ 62 for PEPRA Members $50,000
Mayor: $1,143/mo
Council: $789/mo
Santa Cruz Charter Council - Mayor - City Manager $3,421 $1,710 $200
$350/month vehicle
allowance
$35.00/month data stipend
$35.00/Month Cell stipend May-25
Santa Maria Charter Council - Mayor - City Manager $1,957 $1,707 Optional through CalPERS "Reasonable Expenses"
Ventura Charter Council - Mayor - City Manager $700 $600
Employee: $772
Employee+1: $983
Family: $1,293
Not allowed per government
code N/A N/A
$100 per month for Authorized
travel and other expenses
while on official duty.
City-paid dental, vision, EAP,
City issued smart phone and
laptop FY2010--11
San Luis Obispo Charter Council - Mayor - City Manager $2,923 $2,319
Employee: $735
Employee+1: $1,470
Family: $1,911
$200 (must opt out of
health/dental/vision)
Tier 1: 2.7% at 55
Tier 2: 2.0% at 60
Tier 3/PEPRA/Council:
2.0% at 62 $104,000
$3,200 Mayor
$2,700 Council
$150 Mayor
$100 Council
$50/month home internet;
City-issued mobile phone May-24
Median $2,118 $1,571
City of San Luis Obispo Council and Advisory Body Compensation Survey 2025
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