Atascadero council raises its own pay

August 13, 2015

The Atascadero City Council awarded itself a raise Tuesday, doubling the pay for council members and more than doubling the mayor’s compensation. [Tribune]

The raise will be the first for the Atascadero council in more than 30 years. It will not affect the current council, though, because it is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2017.

Council member stipends will increase from $300 to $600 a month. The mayor’s stipend will rise from $300 to $700 a month.

Also, the monthly stipends for the city clerk and city treasurer will increase from $200 to $400.

The council voted 4-1 to approve the pay increases. Councilman Bob Kelley dissented.

Council members said they were increasing pay in order to encourage more members of the community to serve on the council. In particular, they would like to see younger people from working families serve on future councils.

A city staff report stated Atascadero and Grover Beach currently pay its council members the least among cities in the county. Grover Beach council members also receive $300 a month.

In Arroyo Grande, council members receive $405, and the mayor gets a $500 stipend. The council members and mayor in Morro Bay receive $500 and $700 respectively.

Paso Robles pays its council members $600 and its mayor $800. Pismo Beach council members receive $514.80 a month, and the mayor makes $814.80.

San Luis Obispo pays its elected officials the most in the county. Council members receive $1,200 a month, and the mayor earns $1,500.