Hayward city officials agree to pay cuts amid budget shortfall

(KRON) — Hayward’s mayor, city council members, and executive team voluntarily agreed to take pay cuts through the end of the 2026 fiscal year following a budgetary shortfall, the city shared in a statement. 

This decision leads to a 6.5% reduction in pay for the fiscal year in 2026 for the mayor and council members and no cost-of-living increase, while Hayward’s department heads agreed to a 4% reduction in pay until the end of the 2025 fiscal year. 

“The city’s elected and executive leadership understand what needs to take place to protect services to the Hayward community and the jobs of those who provide these services,” Interim City Manager Addleman shared. “It is important that those actions start at the top with our elected and executive leadership.”

In August, Addleman announced that the city of Hayward would keep most of their vacant staff positions open in an effort to balance the General Fund budget. The city is also working on fiscally stabilizing their fund by placing tighter spending limits on employee training and professional consultant usage. Hayward city officials have also committed to implementing tighter cash flow and payroll monitoring while assessing eligible city properties for sale. 

The city council also recommended that Addleman hire  an independent fiscal analyst to review the city’s finances and ensure sustainable budgetary practices as part of a longer term plan. Addleman is scheduled to present the fiscal year 2026 budget in November with included expense reductions to bring the General Fund spending back into balance with its revenue.