Signatures easily collected.
The council on Aug. 20 voted unanimously to repeal the raise it gave itself in May and to return Sept. 3 to discuss placing a measure on either the 2026 June primary or November general election ballots. The council ‘s decision follows a successful effort by Transparent Pacific Grove — which opposed the council pay increase without voter approval — to collect enough signatures to allow residents to decide on the matter
We have people acting as if serving on the council is some kind of full time career.
P.G. City Council, led by Mayor Nick Smith, voted 5-2 in favor of an increase based on Senate Bill 329, passed in 2023, which amended state law on compensating councilmembers. The changes allow for a five-percent increase per year since the last increase, in P.G.’s case, 1998. It means councilmembers would see an increase from $420 to $966 per month. In the mayor’s case the increase is $700 to $1,610. In either case, it’s a 130-percent increase.
That pushback came two weeks later in the form of a referendum filed by former councilmember Luke Coletti, representing a group called Transparent Pacific Grove. Citing projected budget challenges in the coming years, Coletti called for the decision to go to the voters in an election or be rescinded by the council.
Opponents of the referendum have suggested that some volunteers were incorrectly telling people that the increase in compensation included health care and future raises. Former mayor Bill Peake brought up the question during a council meeting on June 18. Coletti clapped back, accusing Peake and others of spreading disinformation.
A group of residents opposed to the Pacific Grove City Council’s decision last week to give itself an immediate 130 percent pay raise is hoping to overturn the idea by putting it to a vote of the people. The council on May 21 passed an ordinance to increase their monthly pay from $420 to $966, and from $700 to $1,610 for the mayor. Councilmembers Lori McDonnell and Paul Walkingstick voted against the pay hike.
In response, a group calling itself Transparent Pacific Grove filed referendum paperwork with the city clerk May 23. Former city councilman Luke Coletti filed the documents for the group.
All Those Opposed To The Self-Awarded Pay Hike, Sign The Referendum