Should Roseville Council receive a significant raise?

Placer County voters will soon decide whether the Roseville City Council should get a substantial raise. Measure A is an initiative on the November 3 ballot which would increase the compensation for Roseville City Councilmembers from $600 to $2,550 per month. The current compensation of $600 was set by voters in 2000; city officials say in cities with a similar population size, such as Elk Grove, city councils are paid closer to the $2,550 rate, so increasing the Roseville council salary would move it in line with similar-sized cities. Because Roseville is a charter city, only the voters can decide to amend the city charter and approve a pay increase for the city council. Measure A also would add annual inflation adjustments tied to the California Consumer Price Index, capped at no more than 5 percent per year, according to a city staff report. Councilmembers do not receive city-paid benefits such as medical, dental and vision, and Measure A does not call for adding any such benefits. In 2020, the Roseville council did not place the issue on the ballot because of uncertainty caused by the Covid pandemic and the negative optics a raise could bring during that time period, said city staff. In 2024 however, the topic was brought back to public meetings and has been an ongoing topic of discussion. According to a city staff analysis, the measure would have a total annual impact to the city's budget of $117,000. A lone council member, Pauline Roccucci, opposed the compensation increase because she felt the proposed amount was too high, but the other members supported it. The compensation increase, if approved by voters, would mostly affect future councils, not the members who voted for it: The terms of two councilmembers, Krista Bernasconi (District 4) and Pauline Roccucci (District 2) expire at the end of this year. The terms of three other council members expire in two years: Karen Alvord, Bruce Houdesheldt and Tracy Mendonsa. Ananda Rochita, President and CEO for the Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce, wrote the argument in favor of Measure A. Rochita writes the Roseville city council's compensation has been frozen for 26 years, yet the city has grown into a complex, full-service city with a population approaching 170,000 residents. "Roseville is unique in the breadth and complexity of its services. Unlike many cities that outsource electric, water, wastewater, fire, parks, transit, libraries and housing services, Roseville operates these in-house," explained Rochita. "That model delivers local control and high-quality service, and requires substantial time, expertise, preparation and oversight from elected officials making decisions that directly affect residents' daily lives and the city's long-term financial stability. Updating council compensation helps ensure working professionals, parents and community members from more backgrounds can realistically consider serving Roseville, easing the financial strain public service requires." An argument opposing Measure A was written by Richard Roccucci, former Roseville Mayor. While Roccucci agrees Roseville is a well-run city, he said the measure does not broaden access to public services or provide for better governance; it's about salary increases. Roccucci said he may be open to a pay increase but not automatic pay increases. "We have always been independent and fiscally responsible; let's keep it that way. The city has prospered because of dedicated council members. They didn't run for council because of pay or benefits but because they love this city," said Roccucci. "The council members have been quite diverse. Many have served while fully employed, part-time employed, retired, professionals, parents, homemakers and teachers. They wanted to give back to the community and become true public servants. What we don't need for Roseville's future are people considering a second job or looking to supplement their retirement. We already have enough of those career politicians serving at the state and federal government." During the Roseville City Council's Oct. 7 meeting, resident Trevor Robinson-Wong also spoke against what he described as a disproportionate raise that Measure A calls for, pointing out that city officials are giving themselves a significant raise while many city workers earn low wages and receive minimal raises. A "yes" vote for Measure A supports an amendment to the City Charter which would allow a compensation hike for the city council; a "no" vote is a vote against that amendment to the Charter. Measure A will be approved if it receives a majority of "yes" votes. If approved it would take effect next January.