Lawmakers to Consider Bills on Local Government Compensation

In the wake of salary abuses reported in the city of Bell, the Legislature is set to consider various bills to increase transparency regarding compensation for local government officials and employees.

The Senate Local Government Committee has set a hearing for Aug. 12 on a bill that would establish consequences for excessive compensation in charter cities and impose new Brown Act requirements for cities, counties and special districts.

As amended Aug. 10, AB 1955 (De La Torre) would require the governing bodies of all local agencies, including special districts, to ratify employee contracts for executive employees in open session. Contract information, including salary and benefits information, would have to be posted publicly at least seven days prior to ratification.

AB 1955 previously contained ACWA-opposed language prohibiting public agency board members from holding incompatible offices. That language has been deleted from the bill.

Sen. Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) has signaled his intent to amend his SB 501 on the Assembly Floor to require local officials to disclose their salaries, benefits, reimbursement payments and other information in a new annual compensation disclosure form. Cities, counties and special districts would be required to post the forms on their websites.

The Assembly Local Government Committee is likely to hear SB 501 during the week of Aug. 16.

ACWA has not yet taken a position on AB 1955 as amended or on SB 501 as proposed to be amended.

The Association will continue to update its members as issues develop.