Pass: 1255 / 51.00% Yes votes ...... 1206 / 49.00% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Impartial Analysis from the City Attorney

Measure "H", if passed by the voters, would repeal the salary limit for City Councilmembers of $75 per month imposed by a 1966 ballot measure and provide that the councilmember salaries will be set consistent with State law. State law authorizes council salaries for a city the size of the City of Fillmore to be set at up to $300 per month. State law provides the following rules and procedures for setting city council salaries for general law cities:

- City councils may enact an ordinance providing salaries for council members.

- The maximum amount for a city councilmember's salary is based upon the size of the city.

- For cities up to 35,000 in population, which would include the City of Fillmore, a city council may adopt a salary of up to $300 per month for its councilmembers.

- City council salaries may be increased by up to 5% a year by majority vote of the city council.

- Only the electorate of a city may approve an increase to councilmember salaries over the maximum limit established by State law.

- No increase in salary (whether by the electorate or council) is effective until at least one councilmember begins a new term.

In the City of Fillmore, the voters in 1966 approved a ballot measure (1966 Measure) that limits councilmember salaries to $75 per month with no increases allowed. At that time, the maximum amount of salary allowed under state law was $150 per month. The ballot measure was codified in the Fillmore Municipal Code at Section 2.16.030. As the 1966 Measure was approved by the voters it may only be amended or repealed by the voters through a ballot measure. This measure has been placed on the ballot by the City Council of the City of Fillmore.

If this Measure is passed, the City Council may adopt councilmember salaries at any amount between $0 and $300 per month. If the City Council adopts the maximum amount of $300 a month, salary increases for each councilmember will go from $75 to $300 per month (which is $900 to $3,600 per year). The total maximum annual increase to the City would be $13,500. The cost to the City could go up over time if future city councils adopt increases of up to 5% per year.

A "yes" vote authorizes the City Council to set City Councilmember salaries consistent with State law, and would allow the City Council to adopt a salary of up to $300 per month and thereafter, adopt increases of up to 5% a year. Any increase would be effective at the time one councilmember begins a new term of office.

A "no" vote is a vote to disapprove Measure "H" and to require any City Councilmember salary increases or decreases to be approved by voter approval through a ballot measure and would retain City Councilmember salaries at $75 per month.