Downey council advances ballot measure to provide $1,000 monthly compensation

The Downey City Council on Jan. 27, 2026. (City of Downey photo)

DOWNEY — The Downey City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday night to place a standalone measure on the Nov. 3 ballot that would allow council members to receive $1,000 per month in compensation, while maintaining their existing reimbursement structure.

Councilman Hector Sosa cast the lone dissenting vote.

If approved by voters, the measure would amend the city charter, which currently prohibits compensation for council members and instead allows only reimbursement for expenses related to official duties.

Currently, Downey council members receive no salary but are reimbursed for expenses, including a monthly reimbursement of approximately $1,078.22 for council members and $1,270.44 for the mayor, amounts that have been adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index.

Mayor Claudia M. Frometa said the proposal reflects the evolving demands of the role.

“I want to begin by grounding this conversation in proper context,” Frometa said. “In 2006, this council adopted an ordinance that established a structured reimbursement framework for council members, setting monthly amounts for the mayor and council and, importantly, incorporating an annual CPI adjustment to ensure those amounts would keep pace over time. That was thoughtful and forward looking.

“But nearly 20 years later, it is appropriate and responsible that we revisit that structure. Not because it was flawed 20 years ago but because the role itself has evolved. The expectations placed on council members, and mayor, the rotational mayoral chair, has changed. Whether it's regional engagement, economic development, community accessibility, or the volume and complexity of issues we manage, these are significantly greater today than they were 20 years ago.”

Councilman Mario Trujillo framed the discussion around encouraging future civic participation.

“I think we've always been concerned about what incentives are there for people to run for this office. And what disincentives are there for people to run for this office?,” he said. “I waited until I was retiring from my county career after 25 years to run for this position. This is a volunteer position. This is a volunteer council. I have always recognized my colleagues, and all our council members and former mayors before them, to acknowledge their altruistic sense of giving back to the city.

“I want to make this clearer that I think it's only fair that future council members, after I vacate the seat, are reimbursed. I want to be clear we are not compensated. We received zero compensation. What I want is to discuss is really what's fair – what future council members, or this council if we elect to give an increase in the reimbursement category, should receive?”

Sosa, however, questioned whether the proposal blurred the line between reimbursement and salary.

“There's a trade off that we assume when we sign up for this role,” Sosa said. “And I got to tell you that some of us put a lot of time into this role. And I think there's a distinction between reimbursement and salary.

“So I just want to clarify because one of my colleagues alluded to the fact that time is money, and this is a volunteer position. We put in a lot of time into this, some of us more than others. And I'm not sure what type of price tag you could put onto that. But in being technical about this, I think I believe that the role should be compensated more, but technically, that's a compensation discussion. If we're talking about reimbursement, what are we coming out of pocket for? Is it above the $1,000? Is it above the travel expenses and the per diems that were modestly reimbursed for?”

City staff presented data showing that most neighboring cities provide direct compensation to council members, often exceeding the proposed amount.

According to the staff report, nearby cities such as Cerritos provide about $2,010 per month, while South Gate offers approximately $1,900 per month, and Commerce provides more than $2,000 in base compensation, with additional allowances bringing total monthly compensation to more than $3,600.

Other cities, including Lakewood and Pico Rivera, also provide compensation and additional auto or technology allowances, bringing total monthly compensation above $2,000 in many cases.

Across surveyed cities, the average monthly compensation is about $1,365, with total compensation and allowances averaging roughly $1,811 per month, according to the report.

Downey stands out as one of the few cities that does not provide a salary, instead relying solely on reimbursements, similar to Whittier, which provides about $676.80 in monthly reimbursement without compensation.

In addition to the monthly reimbursement, Downey council members are eligible for reimbursement of travel-related expenses, including lodging, meals, transportation and conference costs incurred while conducting city business.

Any change to compensation requires voter approval because it would amend the city charter. The proposed measure will now go before Downey voters in the Nov. 3 election.