Measure D: Charter Amendment

In plain language

Measure D would change the City of Needles Charter. It would raise the pay for each City Council member from $1 a month to $150 a month. The $1 amount has not changed since the charter was adopted in 1958. Because the pay is set in the charter, only voters can change it. The measure would not change rules that repay council members for travel and other official costs. It would not add any other pay or benefits. A YES vote raises council pay to $150 a month. A NO vote keeps council pay at $1 a month.

Fiscal impact

The city says this would cost about $20,916 more each year.

Impartial analysis

CITY ATTORNEY'S IMPARTIALANALYSIS OF MEASURE _____ The City Council of the City of Needles has placed Measure __ on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election. Measure __ would amend Section 503 of the City Charter to increase the compensation paid to each member of the City Council from one dollar ($1.00) per month to one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) per month. Effect of Measure on Existing Law: The City of Needles is a charter city operating under a City Charter adopted by the voters in 1958. Section 503 of the Charter currently provides that each member of the City Council shall receive compensation in the amount of one dollar ($1.00) per month. That amount has remained unchanged since the Charter was adopted approximately sixty-eight years ago. Because the amount of City Council compensation is established by the City Charter, it may not be changed by ordinance or resolution of the City Council. Under the California Constitution and applicable law governing charter cities, any amendment to the Charter, including a change to City Council compensation, must be approved by the voters. If approved, Measure __ would amend Section 503 of the City Charter to establish compensation for each City Council Member at one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) per month. The measure would not modify any other provision of Section 503. Existing Charter provisions authorizing reimbursement for actual and necessary travel and other official expenses incurred in the performance of official duties would remain unchanged. The measure would not authorize any additional salary, benefits, or compensation beyond that expressly provided in the Charter. If approved, the City has determined Measure ___ would result in an additional annual cost of $20,916 to the City. Pursuant to State law, approval of Measure ___ requires a majority vote of the City’s voters who vote in the election. If approved, the amendment would become effective following certification of the election results and completion of all procedures required by law for charter amendments. A "Yes" vote is a vote in favor of amending Section 503 of the City Charter to increase City Council compensation from one dollar ($1.00) per month to one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) per month. A "No" vote is a vote against the proposed Charter amendment, and Section 503 of the City Charter would remain unchanged, with City Council compensation continuing at one dollar ($1.00) per month. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure _____. If you desire a copy of the Measure, please call the City Clerk's office at (760 ) 326-2113 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you, or you may obtain a copy by visiting the City's website at www.cityofneedles.com Lena D. Wade Deputy City Attorney City of Needles

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.