Santa Ana is asking voters whether they want to give a hefty salary increase to city council members, and index that salary to that of local judges.
Official title on the ballot: Measure FF
You are being asked: Shall the City of Santa Ana Charter be amended to index Council compensation at a salary of thirty three (33%) percent of that of an Orange County Superior Court Judge?
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A "yes" vote means: You want the city's charter amended to state that city council members, including the mayor, will receive a salary equivalent to 33% that of an O.C. Superior Court judge. That would currently amount to $6,558 per month.
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A "no" vote means: City council members will continue to receive a salary based on a statewide formula that takes into account the city's population. That salary is currently $3,200 per month.
Understanding Measure FF
Under Measure FF, city council members, including the mayor, would get an immediate salary increase from $12,000 per year to $78,698 per year. Their pay would also increase automatically when salaries for O.C. Superior Court judges increase.
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In many small and mid-sized cities like Santa Ana (population 310,000), serving on city council is considered either a volunteer or part-time job, and not highly compensated.
If the measure passes, Santa Ana council members would earn significantly more than their counterparts in other O.C. cities. For example, in Irvine, which has a similar population size, council members earned $11,440 in regular pay last year.
In Anaheim, with a slightly larger population than Santa Ana, council members earned $18,600 last year in regular pay, according to Transparent California's online database.
In Los Angeles County, for comparison, Long Beach council members (population 467,000) make $49,000; Inglewood council members (population 108,000) make $60,660.
These figures don't include benefits, or assignments on regional boards, which often include stipends that can raise a council member's annual compensation by several thousand dollars or more.
The history behind it
Earlier this year, the city convened an ad hoc committee of three city council members to discuss potential changes to the city's charter. The proposed change to city council compensation was among the recommendations approved by the majority of the ad hoc committee members.
In June, the city council voted 4-3 to put it on the ballot.
How it would work
If passed, the salary increase would take effect in January 2025.
What people who support it say
Supporters say council members put in many hours working for the city and its residents and do it while receiving a monthly salary that's significantly less than the minimum wage. At a June 18 council meeting where the measure was discussed, Council Member Thai Viet Phan, said council members work more than part-time and should be fairly compensated.
Phan also said upping the salary would allow the city "to recruit working class people, middle class people to be interested in serving on the city council." She also said the proposed salary was still low — enough to qualify council members for affordable housing in the county.
What people who oppose it say
Opponents argue that the city should prioritize community needs like public safety, fixing streets, and shoring up the budget over raising the salaries of council members — by more than 600%, as they point out in the official ballot opposition statement.
They also note that the city council could raise pay for council members — to more than $36,000 per year — under current rules. They say the city should align their council salaries to other O.C. cities such as Fullerton and Garden Grove.
Potential financial impact
The new council salaries would cost the city $550,000 per year compared to $84,000 per year currently.
Further reading
- Official city webpage for Nov. 2024 ballot measures
- City attorney's impartial analysis of Measure FF
- Official argument in favor
- Official argument in opposition
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