The Eureka City Charter requires that any increase in pay for the Mayor and Councilmembers by approved by a vote of the people. This election, Eureka City Hall is placing a request on the ballot for 1) a pay increase for the Mayor and Councilmembers and 2) a change in the City Charter so that any further pay increases will be authorized, not by a vote of the people, but by a Finance Advisory Committee at City Hall. 

The basis for this request presented to the voters by the City Attorney and Mayor and Councilmembers is that our elected officials have not had a raise in decades and that the Mayor receives $7,500 per year and each Councilmember receives $6,000 per year, for a total cost of $37,500 per year. 

While this $37,500 cost per year is true for our elected officials “regular pay,” the Mayor and Councilmembers also receive “other pay” and “benefits.”

From 2023 to 2024, the last year data is available, total cost of “other pay” increased from $28,200 to $39,300, total cost of “benefits” increased from $63,100 to $81,150, and “total pay and benefits” increased from $128,700 to $157,950. The 2024 total cost to taxpayers is over 4 times what our elected officials claim as their compensation.

For the voters to properly respond to these requests: 1) for a raise and 2) to amend the City Charter, the citizens of Eureka need more information so they can make a fully informed decision. Please provide the following information.

1) Explain the procedure and authority used to approve “other pay.”

2) Explain the procedure and authority used to increase “other pay.”

3) Define specifically what is provided under benefits.

Final question: When asking the voters to make a decision about City Hall finances, shouldn’t City Hall provide full financial disclosure?

— Patrick Cloney

 

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