Staff report ties proposed increase to state law changes, regional comparisons and long-standing compensation gap
A significant restructuring of compensation for Folsom’s elected officials will come before the City Council Tuesday night, as officials take up the first reading of a proposed ordinance that would raise council salaries for the first time in years and align them more closely with updated statewide benchmarks.
The item is scheduled for consideration during the regular City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. inside Council Chambers at City Hall, located in Historic Folsom.
At the center of the discussion is a staff recommendation that would reset council compensation using updated guidelines established under California Senate Bill 329, a law that took effect Jan. 1, 2024, and significantly increased allowable pay levels for city council members in general law cities based on population.
While Folsom operates as a charter city and is not legally bound by SB 329, the staff report makes clear that the legislation has become a key benchmark across California, with many neighboring cities already adjusting their compensation structures to align with the updated limits.
Under SB 329, maximum monthly compensation is now tiered by population. For cities with populations between 75,001 and 150,000 residents — a category that includes Folsom — the law allows for compensation of up to $1,900 per month, or $22,800 annually. Larger cities can exceed that amount, with jurisdictions between 150,001 and 250,000 residents allowed up to $2,550 per month, and cities over 250,000 residents permitted up to $3,200 per month.
The staff report notes that the new law replaced an outdated system dating back to 2000, which limited increases to 5 percent annually and resulted in many cities falling well below modern compensation standards.
Currently, Folsom’s council compensation sits far beneath those updated benchmarks. Council members receive approximately $600 per month, or $7,200 annually, while the mayor receives roughly $700 per month. According to the report, those figures have not kept pace with inflation, regional cost-of-living increases, or the expanding scope of responsibilities tied to the role.
Based on the updated state framework and regional comparisons, staff is recommending that Folsom increase council compensation to $1,900 per month, or $22,800 annually, aligning with the maximum level allowed under SB 329 for cities in Folsom’s population range.
The proposal is not presented as a simple raise, but rather as a recalibration of compensation to reflect modern expectations of the position.
The report outlines that the role of a city council member has evolved significantly over time. While officially part-time, council members today are expected to attend regular and special meetings, participate in regional boards and commissions, engage in policy development, respond to constituent concerns, and represent the city at a wide range of community functions. Staff emphasizes that these responsibilities require substantial time commitments that often extend well beyond formal meeting schedules.
In addition to workload considerations, the report places strong emphasis on regional compensation comparisons, showing that Folsom lags behind similar and neighboring cities.
Citrus Heights, with a population of approximately 86,000, updated its council compensation in 2024 to $1,900 per month, or $22,800 annually, aligning directly with the SB 329 tier. Elk Grove, with a population of about 182,000, also updated its compensation in 2024 to $2,550 per month, or $30,600 annually.
By contrast, Folsom’s current compensation remains at $7,200 annually, a figure unchanged since 2018.
The report also highlights other regional examples to provide broader context. Rocklin, with a population of roughly 77,000, provides approximately $8,220 annually, or $885 per month. Roseville, a charter city like Folsom, currently maintains compensation at $7,200 annually, though voters are expected to consider a ballot measure this November that would raise that amount to $30,600 annually in line with SB 329 thresholds.
The city staff report listed that Rancho Cordova, provides no compensation for its council members, however, Folsom Councilmember Sarah Aquino confirmed the report was in error and that Cordova council members receive $500 monthly.
At the upper end of the spectrum, the City of Sacramento, which operates under a different structure and treats council positions as full-time roles, provides compensation exceeding $111,000 annually.
The staff report uses these comparisons to support its conclusion that Folsom’s current compensation level is significantly out of step with both state benchmarks and regional norms.
Another key point outlined in the report is the potential impact of compensation on who is able to serve. Staff notes that lower compensation levels can create barriers for working professionals, younger residents, and those without independent financial means, limiting the diversity of candidates willing or able to run for office. Increasing compensation, the report suggests, could broaden access to public service and better reflect the community’s demographics.
The proposal also reflects a broader shift occurring across California, where cities are reassessing council compensation in response to SB 329 and changing expectations of local governance.
If approved, the ordinance would follow the standard two-reading process required for municipal code changes, with Tuesday’s meeting serving as the first reading. A second reading and final vote would be required at a future meeting before any changes could take effect.
In accordance with state law and standard governance practices, any approved increase would not be implemented immediately for sitting council members but would instead take effect following the next election cycle.
Full agenda ahead Tuesday night
Beyond the proposed council pay adjustment, Folsom City Council members has a packed agenda Tuesday night that includes housing policy updates, infrastructure investments, financial reporting and administrative agreements.
The evening will open with a scheduled presentation regarding Assembly Bill 1572 and non-functional turf, a topic tied to statewide water conservation efforts. The presentation is expected to outline requirements associated with the legislation and potential impacts on landscaping standards within the city.
A series of routine items will follow under the consent calendar, where multiple actions are typically approved in a single motion unless pulled for discussion. Among those items is approval of recent City Council meeting minutes from early March, along with several resolutions tied to city operations and capital improvements.
One resolution would authorize the city manager to enter into an $84,290 agreement for HVAC system improvements at 1 Natoma Street, funded through both the Police Capital Improvement Fund and the Folsom Plan Area Capital Improvement Fund. Another item would approve a $259,860.68 agreement for the purchase of a front loader, split evenly between the city’s water and wastewater operating funds.
Council members will also consider an agreement with Sacramento County for the maintenance of shared transportation facilities.
Another item on the consent calendar involves an amendment to the employment agreement for the city manager, which would require authorization by the council and execution by the mayor.
A public hearing scheduled for the evening will revisit the city’s accessory dwelling unit ordinance, which was continued from the March 10 meeting. The proposed ordinance would repeal and re-enact portions of the municipal code governing accessory dwelling units, commonly known as ADUs.
In new business, the council will receive a presentation from the city’s independent auditor along with the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, which outlines the city’s financial position, revenues and expenditures.
Council members will also consider a proposed partnership with Change.org for community survey and civic engagement efforts.
Additional infrastructure planning will come before the council in the form of a resolution authorizing a program supplement agreement with Caltrans for the Intelligent Transportation Systems Master Plan implementation project, tied to federal funding.
Another item involves approval of the preliminary engineer’s report for multiple landscaping and lighting districts throughout Folsom for fiscal year 2026-27, along with setting a future public hearing for those districts across neighborhoods including Broadstone, Prairie Oaks Ranch, Natoma Station and American River Canyon.
The council will also review the city’s 2025 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Report, which tracks development activity and housing production in relation to state requirements.
The full agenda and staff report are available on the City of Folsom’s website or can be found below. The meeting will also be streamed live for those unable to attend in person.
City Council Agenda for Tuesday, March 24, 2026
1.Presentation Regarding Assembly Bill 1572 and Non-Functional Turf2.Approval of the March 02, 2026 City Council Special Workshop Minutes3.Approval of the March 10, 2026 City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes4.Resolution No. 11576 – A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Curtis Sorber dba the HVAC Nerd for HVAC System Improvements for $84,290 Funded from the Police Capital Improvement Fund (Fund 428) and the Folsom Plan Area Capital Improvement Fund (Fund 472) for the 1 Natoma Street Project (Project PD2501)5.Resolution No. 11577 – A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with N&S Tractor Co. for $259,860.68 with $129,930.34 Funded from the Water Operating Fund (Fund 520) and $129,930.34 Funded from the Wastewater Operating Fund (Fund 530) for the Purchase of a Front Loader and Appropriation of Funds6.Resolution No. 11578 – A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement for Maintenance of Shared Transportation Facilities Between the County of Sacramento and the City of Folsom7.Resolution No. 11583– A Resolution of the City Council Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Amendment to the Employment Agreement for the City Manager8.Zoning Code Update – Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance Hearing and Determination that the Project is Exempt from CEQA; Ordinance No. 1361 – An Ordinance of the City of Folsom for the Repeal and Re-Enactment of Chapter 17.105 of the Folsom Municipal Code Pertaining to Accessory Dwelling Units (Introduction and First Reading)(continued from March 10, 2026)9.Receive a Presentation from the City’s Independent Auditor and Receive and File the City of Folsom Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Year Ended June 30, 202510.Consideration of Partnership with Change.org for Community Survey and Civic Dialogue11.Ordinance No. 1366 – An Ordinance of the City of Folsom Amending Section 2.06.010 of the Folsom Municipal Code Regarding City Council Salaries (Introduction and First Reading) and Determination that the Project is Exempt from CEQA12.Resolution No. 11579 – A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Program Supplement Agreement with Caltrans for the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Master Plan Implementation Project, Project No. PW2305, Federal Project No. 5288(052)13.Resolution No. 11580 – A Resolution Approving the Preliminary Engineer’s Report for the Following Landscaping and Lighting Districts for Fiscal Year 2026-27 and Setting Public Hearing for American River Canyon North, American River Canyon North No. 2, American River Canyon North No. 3, Blue Ravine Oaks, Blue Ravine Oaks No. 2, Briggs Ranch, Broadstone, Broadstone No. 4, Broadstone Unit No. 3, Cobble Ridge, Cobble Hills Ridge II/Reflections II, Folsom Heights, Folsom Heights No. 2, Hannaford Cross, Lake Natoma Shores, Los Cerros, Natoma Station, Natoma Valley, Prairie Oaks Ranch, Prairie Oaks Ranch No. 2, Prospect Ridge, Sierra Estates, Silverbrook, Steeplechase, The Residences at American River Canyon, The Residences at American River Canyon II, Willow Creek Estates East, Willow Creek Estates East No. 2, Willow Creek Estates South, and Willow Springs14.2025 General Plan (and Housing Element) Annual Progress Report
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