Merced residents needed for Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission
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- Applications open for seven-member commission to set council and mayor stipends.
- Applicants must be Merced residents, registered voters; one per district plus at-large.
- Commission must hold two public meetings between March 1 and June 30.
Merced is one of several cities in California where residents get to weigh in on how much local elected officials are paid.
The Citizens’ Stipend Setting Commission is a seven- member group that “helps review and recommend the monthly stipend for City Council members and the mayor for the next two-year term,” according to a recent Facebook post by the city of Merced.
The city is accepting applications to serve on the commission this year. To apply, you must live in Merced and be registered to vote.
Committee members are appointed. One resident of each district will be selected to serve, as well as one at-large member who can be from any district.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. March 6. The city asked that interested residents reach out to the city clerk at cityclerk@cityofmerced.gov.
Once members are selected, the commission must hold two public meetings between March 1 and June 30. So far, the proposed dates are: April 2 at 5:30 p.m. or April 16 at 5:30 p.m. for the first public hearing, and April 30 at 5:30 p.m. for the second public hearing.
Currently, members of the Merced City Council receive a stipend of $6,000 annually, disbursed in $500 monthly payments. The mayor’s annual stipend is $7,200, also paid on a monthly basis.
While the committee will recommend stipend amounts for the next two years, there are some parameters under Merced’s municipal code.
The first is that the mayor must receive at least as much as other City Council members, though the commission may recommend reasonable additional compensation.
The second is that the City Council will adopt the stipends as recommended by the commission or a lower amount. The law does not allow the council to increase the amount.
