Charter Reform Study Group’s Consultant Contract May See Increase

The consultant collaborating with the Charter Reform Study Group might receive a pay increase.

The City Council will cast a vote on Monday to augment the contract with Baker Tilly.

The augmentation would elevate the contract value from $95,000 to $140,000.

Currently, the group is deliberating on recommendations regarding various governance issues to be proposed to the City Council.

Subsequently, the Council will decide whether to include these items in the November ballot.

The Charter functions as the City’s constitution and can only be amended by the electorate.

To date, the consultant has conducted research and provided insights on the City Council vacancy appointment and special elections process; the roles, terms, and duties of the Vice Mayor position; Mayor and City Council term limitations, including the existence of such restrictions and their implications/benefits for cities; and the scheduling of elections and vacancy procedures for the Mayor.

The Task Force still needs to conclude its discussion and formulate a final recommendation concerning the election timing for the Mayor’s role and has not yet thoroughly examined the matters of Council Compensation and Campaign Finance and Contribution Limits.

Baker Tilly is tasked with offering staff support to the task force, encompassing necessary and directed research, compilation of data, and collection of information from diverse sources, such as information from Charter cities and other municipalities, the League of California Cities, among others. Furthermore, Baker Tilly is expected to analyze the collected data and information and present both written and oral findings to the Task Force to aid and bolster their deliberation on each Charter Study topic.

“The City Council endorsed the contract with the consultant on October 16, 2023. On that date, the City Council sanctioned a purchase order with Baker Tilly US, LLP, for professional consultant services to assist the Charter Study Task Force in scrutinizing City Governance issues, allocating an amount not to exceed $95,000. The Charter Study Task Force, along with Baker Tilly, has been engaged in the City Council’s designated scope and charge since late November/early December 2023,” the agenda detailed.