Measure H: Measure H - City of Eureka Charter Amendment

In plain language

Measure H would change two sections of the Eureka City Charter. Right now, the charter sets the Mayor's pay at $625 per month and each of the five Councilmembers' pay at $500 per month. These amounts were set by a charter change in 1988 and have not changed since then. Under current rules, changing this pay requires another charter change, such as Measure H. A YES vote would allow the City Council to set the pay of the Mayor and Councilmembers by passing an ordinance, which is a city law. At first, the pay could rise to $1,250 per month for the Mayor and $1,000 per month for each Councilmember. These raises could take effect in January 2027. After that, the pay could be adjusted every year by new ordinances, after review by the city's Finance Advisory Committee. A NO vote keeps the current pay limits in the charter.

Fiscal impact

Monthly pay could rise from $625 to $1,250 for the Mayor. It could rise from $500 to $1,000 for each of the five Councilmembers. These raises could start as early as January 2027. Later changes each year would be made by ordinance after review by the Finance Advisory Committee. The official materials do not give a total yearly cost.

Impartial analysis

Measure H The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the Eureka City Attorney: Currently, the Charter of the City of Eureka fixes the salary of the Mayor at $625 per month and that of each of the five Councilmembers at $500 per month. These levels were enacted by Charter amendment on June 7, 1988 and have not been changed since then. To change the salary provisions requires another Charter amendment, such as Measure H. If adopted by the voters, Measure H would allow the City Council to adopt an ordinance that may initially increase the salary levels to $1250 per month for the Mayor and $1000 per month for Councilmembers. Because of the timelines for the effective date of any new ordinance, these increases could take effect in January, 2027. Measure H would also permit future annual adjustments to the salaries by adoption of new ordinances, subject to prior review by the City’s Finance Advisory Committee. A “yes” vote on Measure H is a vote to enact a Charter amendment that would allow the Mayor’s and Councilmembers’ salaries to increase by ordinance new limits and thereafter to be adjusted annually following input from the Finance Advisory Committee. A “no” vote is a vote against the enactment of the Charter amendment and to retain the current salary limits. /s/ Robert N. Black City Attorney City of Eureka

Official ballot arguments

Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.

The official arguments will appear here once both sides’ arguments are on file.