Elected officials' compensation
Summary
A new pay plan for top city staff includes a 3.5% cost-of-living increase — and a contested $29,000 raise for the police chief. It passed over one no vote.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 15
- Last 30 days
- 11
Rising — discussed at 3 meetings since Sep 29, 2026, up from 1 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
Raises executive salaries including a proposed $29,000 compaction adjustment for the Chief of Police.
City executive staff receiving updated pay and benefits.
Taxpayer advocates who opposed any increase before the election.
Mentions & discussions (7)
CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL - Nov 4, 2026
Ordinance No. MC-1675 would raise the mayor's annual salary from $50,000 to twice what council members make, following a compensation commission review. Under the City Charter, the raise wouldn't kick in until after the November 2026 election.
REUNION DEL ALCALDE Y AYUTAMIENTO - Oct 21, 2026
The mayor's salary fight dominated the night. The commission wanted roughly $122,000 (half a judge's pay); the council compromised at double the councilmember salary (~$95,851), with sharp public criticism of any raise.
CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL - Oct 21, 2026
The mayor's salary goes from $50,000 to roughly $86,500 (double council pay), not the commission's recommended $122,000. Timing was contentious — changes take effect with the new council in December.
Regular Meeting of the Elected Official Compensation Advisory Commission - Sep 29, 2026
Council members make $37,500 a year plus benefits and a $725 monthly car allowance, with automatic cost-of-living adjustments tied to a management employee group. The commission voted to recommend leaving that alone.
CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL - Sep 2, 2026
The mayor currently earns about $50,000 for what the charter calls a full-time job. The council sent the question — including a median-income formula idea — to its compensation commission, with answers due in October.
REUNION DEL ALCALDE Y AYUTAMIENTO - Sep 2, 2026
The council wants its compensation commission to look at bumping the mayor's pay — possibly back to roughly $125,000, tied to half a Superior Court judge's salary. Some residents pushed back, saying raises should reflect what struggling residents can afford.
CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL - Jan 21, 2026
A new pay plan for top city staff includes a 3.5% cost-of-living increase — and a contested $29,000 raise for the police chief. It passed over one no vote.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for San Bernardino
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.