This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/rv/ for current information.
LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund If you appreciate our service to voters, please consider helping us with a donation.
Smart Voter
Riverside County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
Measure K
Mayor's Salary
City of Menifee

Majority Approval Required

Pass: 9,441 / 60.31% Yes votes ...... 6,213 / 39.69% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of November 21 7:51am, 100.00%% of Precincts Reporting (54/54)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

Shall measure "CC" be amended to provide that compensation for the Mayor of the City of Menifee be set at the same level as that of all other members of the City Council plus $100 per month subject to adjustment on an annual basis at the same rate as that permitted for members of the City Council?

Impartial Analysis from City Attorney
Measure "K", if approved by a majority of the voters, will increase the Mayor's salary for the 2014-2016 term of office to $9,000 annually and will permit future increases in the Mayor's compensation in the same manner as currently permitted by Elections Code 36516 for all other members of the City Council, adjusted, if necessary, to assure that the Mayor earns $100 per month more than other members of the Council.

Government Code Section 36516.1 permits the voters to set compensation for a directly elected Mayor at any level selected by the voters. Measure "CC", adopted by Menifee voters in 2010, set compensation for the Mayor at $8,000 annually ($666 per month) with no mechanism for future adjustment in compensation. Base salaries for other members of the City Council, who are elected by electoral districts, was originally set in accord with the provisions of Government Code Section 36516 at $6,000 per year ($500 per month).

Measure "CC" created a clear distinction in salary between the Mayor, who is elected by all voters in Menifee, and other members of the council who are elected by one of four voting districts. Unless Measure "CC" is amended to include a method for adjustment of the Mayor's salary that goal will soon be frustrated.

Section 36516 provides that a City Council may increase compensation for members of the City Council by up to 5% per year and for increased population, but that any increase may only be implemented when a new term of office begins. Under the provisions of Government Code Section 36516, the City Council has approved an increase in compensation for district-elected members of the City Council that will take effect after the November election in 2014. That legally permitted increase will raise salaries for district-elected members of the City Council to $650 per month ($7,800 per year) reducing the differential between Mayoral income and councilmember income to $16 per month. Should additional increases be authorized in the future, councilmember salaries will exceed the fixed salary of the Mayor.

Because Measure "CC" was enacted by a vote of the people, it can only be repealed or amended through the election process. The City Council has prepared this initiative measure in accord with Elections Code Section 9222 to permit salary adjustments to the fixed salary set forth in Measure "CC" for the Mayor.

If enacted, Measure "K" will increase the cost to the City for compensating the Mayor from $8,000 per year to $9,000 per year for the 2014-2016 term of office. Thereafter, increases of up to 5% annually may be approved for the position of Mayor by the City Council as permitted by Government Code Section 36516.

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure "K". If you desire a copy of the measure, please call the Menifee City Clerk's office at (951-672-6777) and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

Date: July 8, 2014

By: Julie Hayward Biggs, City Attorney

 
This election is archived. Any links to sources outside of Smart Voter may no longer be active. No further links will be added to this page.
Links to sources outside of Smart Voter are provided for information only and do not imply endorsement.

Arguments For Measure K Arguments Against Measure K
Measure "K" is a City Council sponsored initiative that will restore the recognition voters intended for a directly elected Mayor. It is important that current law be changed so that the Mayor is equitably compensated. Our city should not shortchange our elected leaders.

When the City voted to create electoral districts, a salary of $6,000 per year was set for each district-elected Councilmember, subject to increases permitted by California law. A separate initiative measure set the salary for the Mayor at $8,000 per year but did not include a provision allowing any increase over time.

The City Council has since approved a statutory increase of 5% per year for district-elected members of the City Council, increasing their salaries to $7,800 in 2014. Unless Measure "K" is passed, the Mayor will fall behind in compensation if another increase is approved for district-elected Councilmembers, contrary to the intent of the ballot measures and good sense.

The Mayor is the only member of the City Council who is elected by all the people of Menifee. That stature alone justifies higher compensation. California law recognizes that principle and allows the electorate to set any compensation it chooses for a directly elected Mayor. Measure "K" will guarantee a $1,200 annual difference between district-elected members of the City Council and our Mayor who is elected at-large.

Menifee should treat its elected officials fairly and abide by state law as to adjustments of compensation for the Mayor. This is not a matter that should be at issue in a reasonable community. The City Council urges voters to VOTE YES on Measure "K" for sound and equitable government that recognizes a distinction between a Mayor elected by all the people of our community and district-elected members of the City Council.

"Arguments in support or opposition of the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors."

By: Scott Mann, Councilmember
Greg August, Councilmember
John Denver, Councilmember
Thomas Fuhrman, Councilmember

Rebuttal to Arguments For
Measure "K", is Council sponsored, a complete contradiction to 4 by districts and Mayor elected at large that was a sponsored initiative by the voters of Menifee in 2010 that restored the power to the people to elect the Mayor, determine Salary and term of Office.

California law recognizes that the electorate can set any compensation it chooses for a directly elected Mayor. The electorate had a choice between $8,000.00 and $10,000.00 and with informed knowledge decided $8,000.00 was fair and equitable compensation for the Mayor.

The Mayor Salary as approved by the voters of Menifee did recognize there is no distinctions between the Mayors duties and other Council members. One vote per council member . The only difference is the people elect the mayor instead of the City Council.

The taxpayers of Menifee pay for all the Mayors travel expense, hotels, meals, etc. The Mayor has no out of pocket expenses and receives fair and equitable compensation.

The State Law allowing a 5% adjustment of Compensation for Council members is not automatic. The city Council can accept or reject that increase.

If Measure "K" passes the Mayor salary would be $9,600.00 in one year and $11,280.00 in two years the complete opposite of what the people voted and approved for the Mayors compensation. No end to pay hikes or the burden imposed on the taxpayer if measure "K" should pass.

VOTE NO ON MEASURE "K" AND SAVE THE TAXPAYERS MONEY

By: Anne E. Pica

Argument against measure "K" and why the voters of Menifee should vote NO. The Mayors compensation was decided by the people at the November 2, 2010 election where voters were given the opportunity to decide between $8,000.00 or $10,000.00 a year. The people voted for $8,000.00 Salary for the Mayor.

Now the Mayor and City Council have decided they don't care what the voters approved they want more money.

Measure "K" is very deceitful, calling an amendment to measure "CC" when it was measure "AA" on the ballot that passed, all in an effort to overthrow the vote of the people. As the author of measure "AA" the only difference is the people elect the Mayor, term of office and salary not the Council.

Measure "K" gives the mayor a 5% increase per year and adds another $1200.00 per year on top of that. In two years the Mayor would earn a salary of $11,403.00.

In four years the Mayors salary would be $15,154.00 and in six years it would be $19,289.00 paid by the hard working taxpayers of Menifee. It never ends if you pass measure "K" (Salary) Menifee City is working on a deficit budget for the last 2 years and we cannot afford this back door action by this city council.

Menifee violent crime rate is up 200% and no City funds to increase the Police force according to the Council but they want a double dip pay increase for the Mayor position.

This is complete madness folks no end in sight for pay hikes if measure "K" passes.

If the taxpayers of Menifee pay the Mayors travel expenses, hotels, meals, car rentals, etc. Mayor doesn't pay a dime.

MAKE THE TAXPAYERS VOTE IN 2010 COUNT AND MARK NO ON MEASURE "K" ON NOV. 4, 2014.

By: Anne E. Pica
Grant Yoders

Rebuttal to Arguments Against
Seldom have so many misrepresentations appeared in a ballot argument as those set forth by the opponents to Measure "K".

Measure "K" will amend measure "CC", which set compensation for the Mayor at $8,000 annually with no provision for any increase ever.

If Measure "K" is enacted, it will permit adjustment of the Mayor's compensation over time so that it is always $100 more per month than whatever increase in compensation the City Council approves for district-elected representatives. There is nothing automatic about the council approved increase that is allowed.

In December 2014, district-elected councilmembers' compensation will be $650 per month ($7,200 annually). Under Measure "K", the Mayor's salary would then be set at $750 per month ($9,200 annually).

Under California law, the City Council has the authority to increase its compensation by up to 5% annually, but only for prospective terms of office. So, if the City Council increases compensation for district- elected members as allowed by law for the 2016 term by 10% (5% per year) their compensation will increase to $715 ($8,580 annually)and the Mayor's compensation will increase to $815 ($9,780 annually) .

The numbers shown in the Argument Against Measure "K" are patently false and misleading, as are the outrageous statements that Menifee has operated with a "deficit budget" or that the crime rate has increased by 200%.

Do the right thing to assure the Office of Mayor of Menifee is properly compensated as the voters intended in 2010.

Vote YES on MEASURE "K".

By: Scott Mann, Councilmember
John Denver, Councilmember
Thomas P. Fuhrman, Councilmember
Greg August, Councilmember


Riverside Home Page || Statewide Links || About Smart Voter || Feedback
Created: July 23, 2015 14:57 PDT
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://cavotes.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.