LWVS
FULL-TIME MAYOR STUDY
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND<
Since Sacramento was incorporated in 1849 the process of selection,
the powers and responsibilities, and compensation for the office of
Mayor has changed numerous times as summarized in the following overview.
1849 - 1855: During this formative period there were seven Mayors. Their
salaries varied between $3500 and $5000 per year. There was no set procedure
for establishing the salary levels. They were negotiated with a nine-member
Common Council, elected at large and paid a $100 annual stipend. Other
elective offices included the Recorder, Treasurer, City Marshall, and
Assessor.
1856 - 1858: A new Charter reduced the Mayor's responsibilities and
annual pay to $2000. The chief administrative officer of the City was
an elected "Recorder" who was paid $4000 annually. The Common Council
and other elected officials were not changed.
1858 - 1863: The Consolidation Act of 1858 established a joint City-County
government. The President of an elected nine-member Board of Supervisors
was designated as Mayor of the City. The Board selected the President/Mayor.
1863 - 1893: The City again separated from the County and a new Charter
created an elected three-member Board of Trustees to govern the City.
The candidate receiving the highest number of votes was designated President
of the Board and Mayor, and was paid $2500 annually. The second and
third Trustees received $1800 and $1200 annually.
1893 - 1911: The 1893 Charter established a nine-member Board of Trustees
elected from Wards and a Mayor elected at large. The Mayor was the Chief
Executive with the power to veto action by the Board. The Mayor received
a salary of $3000 annually. The Trustees received $2250 annually. (In
comparison, other annual salaries designated in the 1893 City Charter
included $1800 for the City Attorney, $1200 for the Fire Chief, and
$240 to $360 for Firemen, Foremen, and Laborers.) The Trustees served
for four years while the Mayor was limited to a two-year term. The Mayor,
with the Trustees' approval, appointed other City officials.
1911 - 1920: The 1911 Charter established a five-member City Commission,
elected at large, to govern the City. Each was paid $3600 per year.
The highest vote recipient was the First Commissioner and Chief Executive
and served for five years. The second through fifth Commissioners served
four, three, two, and one year respectively. Each of the Commissioners
was designated with certain areas of responsibility, such as streets,
water, fire, and police.
1920 - 1971: As part of the Progressive Era, the city government was
changed in response in part to concerns over officials' conflicts of
interest. During the nineteenth century the mayor and other elected
officials had full executive authority and were compensated accordingly.
However, many of these officials were also business owners who benefited
from city contracts to do work such as street and levee construction
and repair. Thus, the Council-Manager system was established. The Council
consisted of nine members elected at large for two years. The Council
selected the Mayor annually. The City Manager was selected by the Council
and was the Chief Administrator. The Council served as a part-time legislative
body. The Mayor was the Chair of the Council and performed some additional
ceremonial duties. The Council and Mayor were initially paid $5 per
meeting, limited to $25 per month, and a maximum expense reimbursement
of $600 per year. The pay per meeting was increased to $20 per meeting,
with $100 maximum per month in 1948, as it is now.
1971 - PRESENT: The 1971 Charter amendment established the current system
consisting of an eight-member Council elected by District and the Mayor
elected at large. The positions of Council member and Mayor remained
part-time. The compensation was not changed.
There have been several recent attempts to increase the salaries of
the Mayor and Council including:
1970 and 1971: An unsuccessful Charter amendment would have based the
Council salaries on the state law provision for General Law Cities,
with the Mayor receiving 1.5 times the Council salaries.
1971: A Charter amendment was passed giving the Council authority to
set compensation for service on various boards and commissions. This
has enabled the Council to establish some additional sources of compensation.
1972: Unsuccessful Charter amendments would have established an Official
Salaries authority to set salaries for the Mayor and Council; and set
the Council salaries at the level for General Law Cities with the Mayor's
salary twice that amount.
1972: An unsuccessful Charter amendment would have set the Council salaries
at $400 per month and the Mayor's salary at $600 per month.
1977: An unsuccessful Charter amendment would have established an Official
Salaries Commission to set the pay for the Mayor and Council.
1990: An unsuccessful Charter amendment would have set the Mayor's salary
at 80% of the salary of a Municipal Court Judge plus 10%.
Since 1973 the Council has adjusted compensation levels for service
on various boards and commissions and reimbursement allowances.
COMPARATIVE FACTORS:
When considering the historic compensation levels several factors should
be considered. In the 1890's the estimated population of Sacramento was
approximately 30,000; in 1920 the population was 66,000; the current population
is 407,000. Also, national estimates based on Bureau of Labor statistics
data indicate that the value of money in the 1890's was approximately
20 to 25 times today's values. Also, during that period three- and four-bedroom
homes could be purchased for $2500 to $3500. |
