Mayor Pro Tem urges council to align member insurance contribution with staff as symbolic budget step

Mayor Pro Tem Torelli asked council to consider whether elected officials should contribute to medical insurance at the same rate as city staff and to explore a compensation-review process. He framed the suggestion as a symbolic way for council to lead by example as staff presented options to close a $6.5 million biennial gap.

"I would like us to take a look at at compensation for city council," Torelli said, noting council costs and benefit consumption have grown and recommending staff prepare comparative figures on how much council insurance and salary costs the city carries. Several members supported the idea as a signal to the public; staff agreed to prepare numbers and options for council to review.