HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-13; City Council; 15; Annual Elected Officials’ Compensation ReviewCA Review JRT
Meeting Date: Jan. 13, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager
Staff Contact: Jessica Dorsey, Human Resources Manager
jessica.dorsey@carlsbadca.gov, 442-303-6559
Darrin Schwabe, Human Resources Director
darrin.schwabe@carlsbadca.gov, 760-271-5548
Subject: Annual Elected Officials’ Compensation Review
Districts: All
Recommended Actions
1) Conduct the annual review of elected officials’ compensation; and
2) Introduce an ordinance titled either:
A. “An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, amending Title 2,
Chapter 2.04, Section 2.04.010(A), to adjust City Council members’ compensation by the
percentage increase in the San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index for 2025”
(Exhibit 1); or
B. “An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, permanently
waiving City Council compensation adjustments for 2026” (Exhibit 2); or
C. Provide other direction as desired.
3) Introduce an ordinance titled either:
A. “An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, amending Title 2,
Chapter 2.04, Section 2.04.020(A), to adjust City Clerk and City Treasurer compensation
by the percentage increase in the San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index for 2025”
(Exhibit 3); or
B. “An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, declining City Clerk
and City Treasurer compensation adjustments for 2026” (Exhibit 4); or
C. Provide other direction as desired.
Executive Summary
The City Council is being asked to consider whether to adjust City Council members’
compensation by the percentage increase in the San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index for
2026 and to make the same determination for the compensation of the City Clerk and
Treasurer, as required each year by the Carlsbad Municipal Code or to provide other direction
as desired for an increase below the Consumer Price Index.
Jan. 13, 2026 Item #15 Page 1 of 11
Explanation & Analysis
The voters of the City of Carlsbad approved Measure G in 2020. This measure, codified in
Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter 2.04 – Elected Officials, and Section 2.04.010(A) –
Compensation–Mayor and City Council:
• Prohibits City Council members’ compensation adjustments from exceeding the amount
established by the San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index
• Requires the City Council to either make or waive a compensation adjustment in January
of each year,
• Prohibits the City Council from enacting retroactive increases for years in which the City
Council waived compensation adjustment
The City Council adopted Ordinance No. CS-435 on Oct. 18, 2022, codified in Carlsbad Municipal
Code Chapter 2.04 – Elected Officials, and Section 2.04.020 (A) – Compensation–City Clerk and
City Treasurer, to establish a mechanism for the City Council to review the salaries of the City
Clerk and Treasurer each year at the same time the City Council considers adjusting City Council
members’ salaries.
As it does with the City Council members’ salaries, the ordinance limits any adjustments to the
City Clerk’s and City Treasurer’s salaries by an amount not to exceed the amount set by the San
Diego Regional Consumer Price Index. It similarly prohibits the City Council from enacting
retroactive increases for years in which the City Council waived compensation adjustments for
the City Clerk and City Treasurer.
The annual compensation for members of the City Council was last adjusted in February 2025,
when it was increased by 2.6%;
• For City Council members, from $28,257.00 annually, or $2,354.75 monthly, to
$28,991.64 annually, or $2,415.97 monthly
• For the Mayor, who receives additional monthly compensation of $100 under Carlsbad
Municipal Code Section 2.04.010(B), from $29,457.00 annually, or $2,454.75 monthly,
to $30,191.64 annually, or $2,515.97 monthly
The annual compensation for the City Clerk and City Treasurer was last adjusted in February
2025, when it was increased by 2.6%, from $14,248.32 annually, or $1,187.36 monthly, to
$14,618.76 annually, or $1,218.23 monthly.
This item is being presented to allow the City Council to review elected officials’ compensation
and discuss whether to make or waive compensation adjustments for 2026.
The change in the Nov. San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index for 2025 was 4%. The
November number is used because it is the most recent statistics available to effectuate
changes for the following January.
If the City Council were to adopt an ordinance adjusting elected officials’ compensation to
reflect changes in the San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index for 2025:
• The City Council members’ annual compensation would increase from $28,991.64
annually, or $2,415.97 monthly to $30,151.31 annually, or $2,512.61 monthly.
• The Mayor’s annual compensation would increase from $30,191.64 annually, or
$2,515.97 monthly to $31,351.31 annually, or $2,612.61 monthly.
Jan. 13, 2026 Item #15 Page 2 of 11
• The City Clerk and City Treasurer’s annual compensation would increase from
$14,618.76 annually, or $1,218.23 monthly to $15,203.51 annually, or $1,266.96
monthly.
Fiscal Analysis
The annual impact for the increase in City Council compensation, including the impact on
benefits, is approximately $6,400. The annual fiscal impact for the increase in City Clerk and
City Treasurer compensation, including the impact on benefits, is approximately $1,200. There
is sufficient funding in the General Fund budget for fiscal year 2025-26 to absorb the proposed
increase.
Options
Staff have drafted ordinances for the City Council’s consideration for all options:
• Increase City Council members’ compensation by the percentage increase in the
San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index for 2025 (Exhibit 1)
• Waive an adjustment to City Council members’ compensation for 2026 (Exhibit 2)
• Increase City Clerk and City Treasurer compensation by the percentage increase in the
San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index for 2025 (Exhibit 3)
• Decline an adjustment to City Clerk and City Treasurer compensation for 2026
(Exhibit 4).
• Provide other direction as desired.
Next Steps
The City Clerk’s Office will prepare the introduced ordinances for adoption at the next regular
City Council meeting. Once adopted, the City Clerk will publish the ordinances or a summary of
the ordinances in a newspaper of general circulation within 15 days. The ordinances will be
effective 30 days following their adoption.
Environmental Evaluation
The proposed action to adjust elected officials’ compensation is exempt from environmental
review under California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and
15378(b)(5) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the proposed action may
have a significant effect on the environment.
Exhibits
1. Ordinance increasing City Council compensation
2. Ordinance waiving an increase to City Council compensation
3. Ordinance increasing City Clerk and City Treasurer compensation
4. Ordinance declining an increase to City Clerk and City Treasurer compensation
Jan. 13, 2026 Item #15 Page 3 of 11
Exhibit 1
.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 2, CHAPTER 2.04, SECTION 2.04.010(A), TO
ADJUST CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS’ COMPENSATION BY THE PERCENTAGE
INCREASE IN THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR 2025
WHEREAS, on November 3, 2020, the voters of the City of Carlsbad, California, approved
Measure G, adopting Title 2, Chapter 2.04, Section 2.04.010(A) of the Carlsbad Municipal Code, which
prohibits City Council compensation adjustments from exceeding the amount established by the San
Diego Regional Consumer Price Index, requires the City Council to either make or waive a compensation
adjustment in January of each year, and prohibits the City Council from enacting retroactive increases
for years in which the City Council waived a compensation adjustment; and
WHEREAS, the increase in the November San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index for 2025
was 4%; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to adjust the compensation of City Council members by the
percentage increase in the November San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index for 2025.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, ordains as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2.That the action to adjust elected officials’ compensation is exempt from environmental
review under California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and
15378(b)(5) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the proposed
action may have a significant effect on the environment.
3.That the first sentence of Title 2, Chapter 2.04, Section 2.04.010(A) is amended to read:
2.04.010 Compensation–Mayor and city council.
A.The monthly compensation of city council members is increased from $2,415.97 to
$2,512.61.
B.The monthly compensation of Mayor is increased from $2,515.97 to $2,612.61
EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance shall be effective thirty days after its adoption; and the City
Clerk shall certify the adoption of this ordinance and cause the full text of the ordinance or a summary
of the ordinance prepared by the City Attorney to be published at least once in a newspaper of general
circulation in the City of Carlsbad within fifteen days after its adoption.
Jan. 13, 2026 Item #15 Page 4 of 11
ORDINANCE NO. CS-504
INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a Regular Meeting of the Carlsbad City Council on the 13th
day of January, 2026, and thereafter
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City
of Carlsbad on the __ day of ________, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
_________________________________
CINDIE K. McMAHON, City Attorney
_______________________________________
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
_______________________________________
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
Jan. 13, 2026 Item #15 Page 5 of 11
Exhibit 2
ORDINANCE NO. .
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, PERMANENTLY WAIVING CITY COUNCIL COMPENSATION
ADJUSTMENTS FOR 2026
WHEREAS, on November 3, 2020, the voters of the City of Carlsbad, California, approved
Measure G, adopting Title 2, Chapter 2.04, Section 2.04.010(A) of the Carlsbad Municipal Code, which
prohibits City Council compensation adjustments from exceeding the amount established by the San
Diego Regional Consumer Price Index, requires the City Council to either make or waive a compensation
adjustment in January of each year, and prohibits the City Council from enacting retroactive increases
for years in which the City Council waived a compensation adjustment; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to permanently waive any adjustment to the compensation
of City Council members and Mayor for 2026.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, ordains as follows:
1. The above recitations are true and correct.
2. That the action to adjust elected officials’ compensation is exempt from environmental
review under California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and
15378(b)(5) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the proposed
action may have a significant effect on the environment.
3. The City Council permanently waives any adjustments to the compensation of City
Council members & Mayor for 2026.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance shall be effective thirty days after its adoption; and the City
Clerk shall certify the adoption of this ordinance and cause the full text of the ordinance or a summary
of the ordinance prepared by the City Attorney to be published at least once in a newspaper of general
circulation in the City of Carlsbad within fifteen days after its adoption.
Jan. 13, 2026 Item #15 Page 6 of 11
INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a Regular Meeting of the Carlsbad City Council on the ______
day of __________, 2026, and thereafter
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad on the __ day of ________, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
_________________________________
CINDIE K. McMAHON, City Attorney
_______________________________________
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
_______________________________________
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
Jan. 13, 2026 Item #15 Page 7 of 11
Exhibit 3
ORDINANCE NO. CS-505 .
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 2, CHAPTER 2.04, SECTION 2.04.020(A), TO
ADJUST CITY CLERK AND CITY TREASURER COMPENSATION BY THE
PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL CONSUMER PRICE
INDEX FOR 2025
WHEREAS, on October 18, 2022, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, adopted
Ordinance No. CS-435, which prohibits City Clerk and City Treasurer compensation adjustments from
exceeding the amount established by the San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index, requires the City
Council to determine whether to approve City Clerk and City Treasurer compensation adjustments in
January of each year, and prohibits the enactment of retroactive increases for years in which the City
Council did not approve compensation adjustments; and
WHEREAS, the increase in the November San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index for 2025
was 4%; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to adjust the compensation of the City Clerk and City
Treasurer by the percentage increase in the November San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index for
2025.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, ordains as follows:
1.That the above recitations are true and correct.
2.That the action to adjust elected officials’ compensation is exempt from environmental
review under California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and
15378(b)(5) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the proposed
action may have a significant effect on the environment.
3.That the first sentence of Title 2, Chapter 2.04, Section 2.04.020(A) is amended to read:
2.04.020 Compensation–City clerk and city treasurer.
A.The compensation of the city clerk and city treasurer is increased from $1,218.23 to
$1,266.96 per month, payable biweekly.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance shall be effective thirty days after its adoption; and the City
Clerk shall certify the adoption of this ordinance and cause the full text of the ordinance or a summary
of the ordinance prepared by the City Attorney to be published at least once in a newspaper of general
circulation in the City of Carlsbad within fifteen days after its adoption.
Jan. 13, 2026 Item #15 Page 8 of 11
INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a Regular Meeting of the Carlsbad City Council on the 13th
day of January, 2026, and thereafter
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City
of Carlsbad on the __ day of ________, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
_________________________________
CINDIE K. McMAHON, City Attorney
_______________________________________
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
_______________________________________
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
Jan. 13, 2026 Item #15 Page 9 of 11
Exhibit 4
ORDINANCE NO. .
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, DECLINING CITY CLERK AND CITY TREASURER COMPENSATION
ADJUSTMENTS FOR 2026
WHEREAS, on October 18, 2022, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, adopted
Ordinance No. CS-435, which prohibits City Clerk and City Treasurer compensation adjustments from
exceeding the amount established by the San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index, requires the City
Council to determine whether to approve City Clerk and City Treasurer compensation adjustments in
January of each year, and prohibits the enactment of retroactive increases for years in which the City
Council waived a compensation adjustment; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to decline an adjustment to the compensation of the City
Clerk and City Treasurer for 2026.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, ordains as follows:
1.The City Council declines adjustments to the compensation of the City Clerk and City
Treasurer for 2026.
2.That the action to adjust elected officials’ compensation is exempt from environmental
review under California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and
15378(b)(5) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the proposed
action may have a significant effect on the environment.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance shall be effective thirty days after its adoption; and the City
Clerk shall certify the adoption of this ordinance and cause the full text of the ordinance or a summary
of the ordinance prepared by the City Attorney to be published at least once in a newspaper of general
circulation in the City of Carlsbad within fifteen days after its adoption.
Jan. 13, 2026 Item #15 Page 10 of 11
INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a Regular Meeting of the Carlsbad City Council on the ______
day of __________, 2026, and thereafter
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad on the __ day of ________, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
_________________________________
CINDIE K. McMAHON, City Attorney
_______________________________________
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
_______________________________________
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
Jan. 13, 2026 Item #15 Page 11 of 11
Annual Elected Official
Compensation Review
Darrin Schwabe, Human Resources Director
Jessica Dorsey, Human Resources Manager
January 13, 2026
CONFIDENTIAL
1
BACKGROUND
2
•Per Measure G, approved in 2020, the City Council is asked to consider
whether to adjust or waive the City Council members’ compensation increase
•Per Ordinance No. CS-435, adopted in Oct. 2022, the City Council is asked to
review the salaries of the City Clerk and City Treasurer at the same time
•Both of these adjustments may not exceed the San Diego Regional Consumer
Price Index (CPI) for November 2025
•The San Diego CPI for November 2025 was 4.0%
BACKGROUND (CONT.)
3
•The City Council’s, City Clerk’s, and City Treasurer’s compensation was adjusted
by 2.6% in February 2025. The CPI for November 2024 was 2.6%.
•The CPI for San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November 2023 was 5.2%
OPTIONS REGARDING CITY COUNCIL COMPENSATION
4
A.Introduce an ordinance to adjust City Council members’ compensation by the
percentage increase in the San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index for 2025
(4%)
B.Introduce an ordinance permanently waiving City Council compensation
adjustments for 2026
C.Provide other direction as desired
OPTIONS REGARDING CITY CLERK & CITY TREASURER
COMPENSATION
5
A.Introduce an ordinance to adjust City Clerk and City Treasurer compensation by
the percentage increase in the San Diego Regional Consumer Price Index for 2025
(4%)
B.Introduce an ordinance declining City Clerk and City Treasurer compensation
adjustments for 2026
C.Provide other direction as desired
QUESTIONS?
6