Menifee City Council votes to approve increase in salary

By Doug Spoon, Editor

By a 3-2 vote, the Menifee City Council voted this week to approve an increase in salary for council members.

Currently, Menifee City Council members are paid $650 per month. According to Senate Bill 329, passed last fall, there have been no adjustments in that amount since 1984. SB 329 allows for a city of Menifee’s population to approve salary of up to $1,900 for council members and $2,000 for the mayor.

The full amount was approved by the City Council on Wednesday after considerable discussion. Mayor Bill Zimmerman and council member Bob Karwin voted against the motion. The salary increase will take place after the November election.

According to the staff presentation, the increase is intended to keep pace with inflation. Most neighboring cities have already approved an increase: Temecula ($1,900), Murrieta ($1,134), Perris ($1,530) and Canyon Lake ($950).

Karwin explained his opposition to the motion.

“In this particular economy, I think this does the residents a disservice to take our position from basically volunteer status to this level of pay,” Karwin said. “It’s the wrong time for this.”

Zimmerman agreed.

“It’s an honor to volunteer and serve,” he said. “I would do this for zero pay. If you’re looking for more applicants, money is not the right reason.”

Mayor Pro Team Dean Deines said that the increase in salary could possibly attract more applicants for city council positions.

“We want people to be able to serve,” Deines said. “Right now the position is for the retired, wealthy or self-employed. That’s what you’re going to get right now. It shuts the door to several of our residents who might consider this form of public service.”

Council member Lesa Sobek agreed with Deines.

“We try to be inclusive of everyone,” Sobek said. “Someone might have the opportunity but not the ability to serve. Our city is growing. With this action, we might find that gem who wants to serve."

Council member Ricky Estrada agreed with Deines and Sobek, voting to approve the salary increase.