Torrance’s anti-corruption bill on the Nov. 5 ballot includes provisions that would significantly increase salaries for the mayor and city council members, leading to accusations that city leaders are misleading the public with self-serving proposals. This has led to criticism from local residents. .

The proposed TC would amend the City Charter to include new conflict of interest provisions and a requirement for elected officials to attend ethics training. But it also calls for “limiting compensation for city council members to below California’s minimum wage (currently $16 an hour).” If the bill passes, City Council members’ salaries would actually increase by 2,673% to $33,280 annually.

Currently, according to the city charter, the City Council, which is made up of council members and the mayor, receives a $100 monthly stipend and all expenses are reimbursed. This position is considered community service, and most city councilors have other full-time jobs.

Torrance City Council members’ total compensation, including benefits, is currently about $13,000 a year, according to data from the California Controller’s Office.

The City Council drafted Measure TC and placed it on the ballot. The bill’s supporters, mostly city council members, say their compensation has remained unchanged for more than 65 years. They argue that higher salaries are needed so that the jobs are not limited to retirees and wealthy people.

Opponents say they understand the argument for increasing council members’ pay, but they don’t like the city’s approach. They accuse city councilors of a lack of transparency and claim the language on the ballot is deceptive. Because the ballot measure sounds like it’s asking voters to cap the salaries of city council members, critics say the city is manipulating residents into voting yes.

“At the very least, I know it’s misleading and it’s causing a lot of ripples in the community,” Torrance resident G. Rick Marshall said. “I think most people say, ‘Yeah, I need a raise,’ because they don’t like to be manipulated.”

Torrance Mayor George Chen defended the measure in an interview, saying city council members are the lowest-paid but highest-ranking city employees.

“Nobody in the city makes less than $16 an hour, and the only people who do make money are the mayor and the city council. So…we’re capping it at the minimum wage.” said Chen, who served on the city council before being elected mayor in .

He said the language “is only misleading if it is determined to be misleading.”

He said the salary increases will help the city of Torrance attract more people to the public service.

“If you’re thinking of running for city council or mayor, and you’re retired or not independently wealthy, do this full-time if you’re going to take the time to serve effectively. It will be very difficult. We were able to lay the foundations without suffering financial difficulties,” Chen said.

The proposed annual salary would be calculated by multiplying California’s minimum wage (which could increase to $18 an hour if voters pass Proposition 32 on a statewide ballot) by 2,080 hours. Including holidays and break periods, that’s 40 hours each week throughout the year.

Mr. Chen, who is retired, said he spends about 50 to 60 hours a week on his duties as mayor. He said he could not discuss how many hours a week other council members work.

City Councilman Assam Sheikh said in an interview that his work hours vary depending on his work schedule, priorities and constituent concerns. The proposed salary was reasonable for him, he said.

Torrance City Councilman Assam Sheikh will attend public comment before the closing ceremony this week at Torrance City Hall.

(Karlyn Steele/For the Times)

Sheikh, who works in the finance department at American Honda Motor Company, said he will use part of his new salary to fund student scholarships.

He said he had discussed Major TC with constituents and was “very shocked” to learn that the role was considered volunteer work and councilors were only paid a monthly salary.

“I don’t think anyone does it for the money,” Sheikh said. “Nobody’s going to get rich from this. This is going to be some incentive for other people to participate.”

A Times review of local government payroll data from the California Controller’s Office found that Torrance City Council salaries are lower than four Los Angeles County cities with similar populations: Palmdale, Pomona, Pasadena and Downey. It is said to be the second lowest. If passed, Torrance would have the highest-paid city council of its peers.

Torrance City Hall (Photo taken on October 15th)

(Karlyn Steele/For the Times)

Torrance resident David Johnston expressed concern about the lack of public input on the bill and questioned the fact that City Council members work 40 hours a week on city business.

He argued that the current City Council has a conflict of interest on the issue, given that the proposed amendments take effect immediately.

“Why did they make it apply to themselves before re-election? If the compensation is what it is today, why would it apply to people who already held the office and ran for the office? Does it apply?” Johnston said.

“For example, why not apply this system to people elected after 2026, and even to themselves if they are re-elected? That would eliminate conflicts of interest, or would eliminate at least a large portion of the conflicts of interest that exist.”