California City Council Faces Backlash Over 500% Pay Raise Error
The Seaside City Council in Monterey County, California, is under scrutiny after council members received a 500% pay raise due to a misinterpretation of state law. The council's monthly pay increased from $400 to $2,400 in June 2025, a mistake attributed to a misunderstanding of a law intended to adjust salaries for inflation. The error went unnoticed for over a year until a citizen flagged the issue. Council members are now reviewing a proposal to repay the overcompensation, estimated at $26,000 each. The council blames the city attorney for the oversight, claiming the attorney assured them the raise was legal.