A Walnut Creek ordinance would raise councilmember pay from $650 to $1,600 per month.
The City Council's Sept. 1 agenda lists a public hearing to introduce the compensation ordinance, which would take effect Dec. 1. The proposed $1,600 rate matches the maximum allowed under California Government Code Section 36516 for cities with populations between 50,000 and 75,000.
Walnut Creek's population stands at 70,288, according to the California Department of Finance's January 2026 estimate.
The increase is $950 per month for each of the five councilmembers: Mayor Kevin Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Matt Francois, Councilmember Cindy Darling, Councilmember Craig DeVinney and Councilmember Cindy Silva. Trish Raver, the city's human resources director, is listed as the staff contact for the item.
State law requires the council to consider the ordinance at two regular meetings before adoption. Tuesday's hearing is the first. The council cannot vote to adopt the raise until at least Sept. 15, the next scheduled meeting.
Short-term rental regulation
The same agenda asks the council for policy direction on regulating short-term rentals citywide. Short-term rental regulation is one of five strategic priorities the council set for 2025 and 2026, with Community Development Director Erika Vandenbrande leading the effort.
The policy discussion comes weeks after a specific case tested the city's existing rules. On Aug. 18, the council voted unanimously to deny an appeal by applicant Hector Krauss, upholding the Planning Commission's earlier denial of a permit for an unhosted short-term rental at 635 Mandarin Lane. The Planning Commission had rejected that application 3-1 on May 28, finding it did not satisfy the city's bed-and-breakfast findings under municipal code Section 10-2.3.109.
The current code treats short-term rentals under bed-and-breakfast rules, requiring operators to meet a series of findings labeled A through K.
How to weigh in
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, at City Hall, 1666 N. Main St. Residents can also watch the livestream on the city's website or join via Zoom (Webinar ID: 843 0612 4990, Passcode: 019928). Written public comments are due by 4 p.m. Tuesday and can be emailed to [email protected].
The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m.
