Walnut Creek's five council members could see their monthly pay jump from $650 to $1,600 after a public hearing Tuesday, Sept. 1.

The proposed ordinance, listed as Agenda Item 6a on the city's meeting agenda, would mark the first compensation increase since 2002. That year, pay went from $500 to $650. Before that, the only other adjustment came in 1985, when pay went from $263 to $500.

The $950-per-month raise for each member would cost the city an additional $57,000 per year, not including payroll taxes and retirement contributions, according to a staff report prepared by Human Resources Director Trish Raver.

The increase is authorized under Senate Bill 329 (SB 329), a state law signed in June 2023 that raised the salary cap for council members in general law cities. For cities with populations between 50,000 and 75,000, the cap went from $500 to $1,600 per month. Walnut Creek, with a census population of 70,127, falls in that tier.

When SB 329 was signed in June 2023, its author, state Sen. Bill Dodd, said "the low levels of pay make it much harder for them [city councilmembers] to balance their careers and personal obligations with the calling to serve their community."

Other Contra Costa County cities have already approved raises under the same law. Contra Costa News reported that Concord raised council pay to $1,900 per month in August 2023, Antioch to $1,900 in August 2024 and Pittsburg to $1,600 in November 2025. Oakley approved a more modest increase, from $456 to $800, in January 2025.

If approved, the new salary would not take effect until Dec. 1, 2026, after two council seats are filled in the Nov. 3 election. State law bars sitting members from receiving a raise during their current term, but once new terms begin, all five members' pay adjusts.

The council has several options Tuesday night. Members can introduce the ordinance as drafted, modify the amount to something below $1,600, change the effective date, reject the raise entirely, or send the question to voters at a future election. The staff report recommends introducing the ordinance at the full $1,600.

If the council introduces the ordinance Sept. 1, a second vote to adopt it would follow at a later meeting. The staff report notes that if members want the raise in place by Dec. 1, the ordinance would need introduction no later than the Sept. 15 meeting and adoption by Oct. 6.

No council member has taken a public position on the vote. Mayor Kevin Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Matt Francois and council members Cindy Darling, Craig DeVinney and Cindy Silva are all listed on the agenda.

The public hearing begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 1666 N. Main St. Residents can also watch via livestream at walnutcreekca.gov or submit written comments to [email protected] by 4 p.m. Tuesday.