GALT, CA (MPG) - At its final meeting of the year on Dec. 16, the Galt City Council reviewed a new community outreach project, considered updates to council compensation and approved full-time positions for part-time city employees.

The Parks and Recreation Department opened the meeting with a presentation on a new activity guide magazine highlighting year-round local resources and events. Staff said the guide was created to encourage greater community engagement. Four magazines will be released throughout the year and can be accessed at cityofgalt.org/government/parks-recreation/activity-guide.

Following the presentation, the Human Resources Department recommended two actions: amending the city council salary ordinance and approving the transition of 18 part-time city employees to full-time status.

Addressing council compensation first, Human Resources Director Tricia Cobey explained that Senate Bill 329 increased the allowable compensation for council members based on city population, raising Galt’s maximum from $300 per month to $950.

Staff proposed increasing council salaries to $902.50 per month, consistent with the council’s philosophy of paying 5 percent below the state maximum, Cobey said. She noted the change would take effect with the next council term beginning in November 2026.

Councilmember Paul Sandhu asked about the percentage increase, which Cobey said would be roughly three times the current pay.

“So about 300%, right?” Sandhu said, requesting comparisons with nearby cities.

Staff reported Elk Grove, population 182,000, pays $2,550 per month; Lodi, population 67,000, pays $1,666; and Dixon, population 66,000, pays $1,366.

Councilmember Shawn Farmer expressed support for the proposal while acknowledging concerns about public perception.

“Nobody wants to look like we’re voting to give ourselves raises…” he said. “But what we have to realize is that this job takes a lot of work.”

Farmer said the increase could encourage working-class residents to run for office by accounting for time away from work and family. He also noted that council pay has not been raised in 25 years.

“I don’t think anybody would say you could expect someone to do a good job and put 100% effort into their work for 25 years without a raise. It’s just not fair; it’s not practical,” Farmer said, adding that no current council members would benefit from the increase.

Mayor Bonnie Rodriguez agreed, drawing on her 20 years covering local government.

“I’ve watched sacrifices of family time, vacations; they’re taking time off of work… I think that it’s a little naive to think that it’s simply just a couple of meetings here and there. So, I wholeheartedly agree,” she said.

Sandhu expressed reservations, stating, “It’s very hard for me to empathize with this kind of increase.”

While acknowledging the views of fellow councilmembers, Sandhu argued that serving on the city council should be considered voluntary public service.

Farmer requested adding a provision requiring future councils to revisit the issue every five years to avoid long gaps between reviews. Rodriguez agreed, noting the amount could change based on future cost-of-living increases. Vice Mayor Tim Reed supported adding the provision, as did Councilmember Mathew Pratton.

“If you’re uncomfortable taking the money, you can donate it…” Pratton said. “You can do that publicly; you don’t have to do it publicly, but I believe people should get paid for their time.”

The council approved the ordinance 4-1, with Sandhu voting no.

Following the vote, the council turned to the transition of 18 part-time employees to full-time status within the Parks and Recreation and Finance departments effective January 2026. Cobey said the change would ensure compliance with the Affordable Care Act after an internal analysis found some city employees were not being properly covered.

Staff recommended the transition to avoid potential penalties and achieve cost savings, as well as setting maximum weekly hour limits and reducing remaining part-time staff hours to 28 per week to stay in compliance with the Affordable Care Act.

Several councilmembers raised concerns about part-time employees who could see reduced hours as a result of the change. Vice Mayor Tim Reed said that for those facing potential reductions, there would likely be little to no change for employees already working 28 hours or fewer.

“I think yes there are going to be some that have their hours reduced, the ones that don’t unfortunately get the full-time positions, but I think there’s going to be several that do not see any change,” said Reed, noting that he agrees that those working up to 30 hours or more as part-time employees need the promotion.

Staff clarified that employees who did not transition to full-time during this time may be eligible for promotion should future vacancies become available.

The council approved the item, along with a side letter agreement with a local union, on a 5-0 vote. Staff also noted the city’s scheduled Jan. 6, 2026, meeting has been canceled.