LWV LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
Smart Voter
Stanislaus County, CA November 2, 1999 Election
Measure K
Charter Amendment/Salary and Benefits
City of Modesto

6,095 / 32% Yes votes ...... 13,048 / 68% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures
Infomation shown below: Summary | Yes/No Meaning | Arguments | Full Text
Shall the Modesto City Charter be amended to provide that monthly compensation for the Mayor be $400.00 in addition to the monthly compensation received by Councilmembers and that compensation for Vice Mayor be $l50.00 in addition to the monthly compensation received by Councilmembers; and in addition, provide for medical, dental and vision insurance coverage for each member of the Council in an amount no greater in value than that provided for nonsafety, unrepresented management employees?
Summary Prepared by the City Attorney:
Section 703 of the Modesto City Charter now provides that the Mayor and other members of the City Council shall each receive monthly compensation in accordance with the compensation schedule set forth in Section 36516 of the California Government Code. That compensation schedule now provides for a salary of $800.00 per month for the Mayor and other members of the City Council. This measure would amend Section 703 of the Charter to provide for an additional $400.00 in monthly compensation to the Mayor and $150.00 in additional monthly compensation for the Vice-Mayor. This measure would also provide that the Mayor and other members of the City Council may each elect to receive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for themselves, as individuals, on the same terms and conditions as may be provided to nonsafety, unrepresented management employees of the City. Alternatively, they may not elect to receive such insurance benefits, in which case the City shall contribute a portion of the premium to a deferred compensation plan in the same manner that such contributions are made on behalf of nonsafety, unrepresented management employees of the City. If these changes are adopted, the annual fiscal impact at this time would be approximately $26,000.00.

s/Michael D. Milich
City Attorney

Meaning of Voting Yes/No
A YES vote of this measure means:
You should vote "YES" on this measure if you want to amend the Charter of the City of Modesto to change the method of determining the monthly compensation of the Mayor and other members of the City Council.

A NO vote of this measure means:
You should vote "NO" on this measure if you want to reject this change.

  
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Arguments For Measure K
Compensation for the mayoral position and Council has not been considered for ten years. During this time, the City of Modesto has grown significantly and so have the demands of public office. The review, evaluation, and study of many difficult and complex issues and attendance at community events require time away from jobs and families. Under the existing Charter, the Mayor and Council are compensated $800.00 per month. The proposed amendment would provide $400.00 additional monthly compensation for the Mayor and $150.00 in additional monthly compensation for the Vice Mayor. Also, the Mayor and Council would be provided medical, dental and vision insurance coverage; a benefit they currently do not receive. This amendment would bring the compensation and benefits package for the Mayor and City Council to a level that is equitable with that found in cities of similar size. Fair compensation will encourage leadership from the community to pursue public office.
s/Richard A. Lang
Mayor

(No arguments against Measure K were submitted)

Text for Measure K
CITY OF MODESTO CHARTER AMENDMENT MEASURE K

SECTION 703. COMPENSATION.

Except as hereinafter set forth the Mayor and members of the Council shall each receive monthly compensation in accordance with the schedule of compensation set forth in Section 36516 of the Government Code of the State of California, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, and without adoption of an ordinance. The Mayor and Vice Mayor, however, shall receive an additional $400.00 and $150.00, respectively, in monthly compensation. Said; provided, however, that said monthly compensation shall be reduced by one-sixth for each regular meeting of the Council, other than adjourned regular and special meetings, not attended each month, unless absent on official duty with the consent of the Council. Said monthly compensation, and the medical, dental and vision insurance coverage hereafter provided for, shall be paid commencing at the time this amendment to the Charter takes effect.; thereafter, changes in said monthly compensation shall be governed by Section 36516.5 of the Government Code of the State of California. The Mayor and members of the Council may each elect to receive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for themselves, as individuals, on the same terms and conditions as may be provided to nonsafety, unrepresented management employees of the City or they may elect not to receive such benefits in which case the City shall contribute a portion of the premium to a deferred compensation plan in the same manner that such contributions are made on behalf of nonsafety, unrepresented management employees of the City. The Mayor and members of the Council shall also receive reimbursement for expenses incurred while performing official duties of their office. (As amended April 29, 1971, and November 4, 1980.)

Note: Any wording stricken would be deleted by this measure.

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Created: November 18, 1999 15:00
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