Stockton’s mayor and city council members could see a bump in their pay come 2025.
On Thursday, Stockton City Council Salary Setting Commission voted 5-0 to increase the mayor’s salary from $90,480 annually to $97,107 — a 7.32% increase. The mayor’s benefits package will remain the same.
The commission also voted to increase the city council’s salary by 5%, which would take their annual salary from $29,364 to $30,832. Commissioners opted not to give council members benefits as the positions are considered part-time.
The vote, however, wasn’t unanimous.
Commissioner Marla Wortz voted against the city council’s salary increase. Her vote was in line with citizens who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting.
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“These are positions that people seek out as public service. They should not be seeking them out for monetary reasons,” Stockton resident Julie Dunning said. “It should be a position that they seek out because they believe they can benefit the city, bring about change in the city, and do good for the citizens.”
Stockton resident Julie Devincenzi agreed. At the podium, Devincenzi noted that some city council members do not ask questions during meetings or delve deep into the issues affecting their districts.
“I feel that we citizens are not being represented properly because a lack of commitment,” Devincenzi said. “I do not believe that council members should be rewarded with pay increases or the addition of benefits if and until we see more than someone just warming a seat.”
Commissioners looked at salaries and benefits in comparable cities such as Bakersfield, Fresno and Sacramento to determine totals for the raises.
The recommendation will be presented on April 2 to the city council, who will have the final say on the salaries. The council can vote to lower the amounts, but they are prohibited from increasing them.
If approved, the salaries will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. The mayor’s salary will remain the same for their entire four-year term, while the council’s salaries are set to be reviewed again in 2026.
Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
