City Charter

Milestones – Power From the People! – Opinion

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Publisher Miles Barber says it's time to consider a charter amendment to adjust SVP's contribution and help alleviate Santa Clara's budget problems.

By now you have read the stories or watched the Santa Clara City Council wrestle with the City’s structural deficit. In this case, structural means it will be with us into the future. Revenue is not enough to meet the obligations. And yes, it is true, the major demand on the budget is salaries. Mayor … Read more

Charter Review Committee Set, Council ‘Squirrels Away’ Money To Support It

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The Santa Clara Council appointed members to the Charter Review Committee and launched a pilot program to deal with illegal street vendors.

The Santa Clara City Council has appointed a Charter Review Committee to consider allowing voters to decide whether to appoint the City’s police chief and city clerk. At its Tuesday night meeting, the Council approved selections for the committee and directed its scope of work. That scope included adding possible qualifications for the positions should … Read more

Police Chief 10% Raise Proposed

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Santa Clara's police chief is up for a 10% raise to prevent "salary compaction," but even salary setting commissioners aren't sure what the chief's role is.

At its June 27 meeting, the Santa Clara City Council will consider raising the elected police chief’s salary by 10% to $313,692. The raise is based on a recommendation made by the salary-setting commission at its May 1 meeting. Commissioners are concerned that the assistant chief salaries are close to that of the police chief … Read more