El Cajon City Council members voted 5-0 Tuesday to reject a proposed 5 percent cost-of-living pay raise that would have taken effect in 2027, according to East County Magazine.

The staff-proposed ordinance would have increased the mayor's monthly salary from $3,380 to $3,549 and councilmembers' monthly salary from $2,336 to $2,453. East County Magazine reported the annual budget impact would have been about $7,644, plus related pension costs.

Council members said the timing mattered because El Cajon has been dealing with difficult budget choices, including discussions about fire services, a fire engine and forensic laboratory funding. Mayor Bill Wells also noted a longer-term concern: keeping elected salaries too low can make public service harder for residents who cannot afford to give up work hours.

For Santee readers, the vote is part of a wider East County conversation about elected-official compensation. East County Magazine reported that Santee has raised its elected officials' pay twice in recent years, including a 5 percent increase recommended for fiscal year 2025-26.

East County Magazine reported that La Mesa, Santee, Poway and Lemon Grove have each taken different approaches to elected-official compensation in recent years, making El Cajon's no-raise vote a notable contrast as the next municipal election cycle approaches.