COLTON COURIER Weekly
November 27, 2025
Vol 153, NO. 50
Colton City Council Approves 135% Pay Increase for Council Members, Raising Compensation to $1,600 Monthly
IECN.com
Over 3,000 San Bernardino County Students Recognized for Biliteracy Pg. 3
Fontana, San Bernardino Unified School Districts Host School Safety Symposium on Fentanyl, Trafficking
PHOTO CITY OF COLTON From left, Mayor Pro Tem David Toro, Councilmember Kelly Chastain, Mayor Frank Navarro, Councilmember Dr. G and Councilmember John Echevarria listen as City Manager Bill Smith delivers comments at the Nov. 18 council meeting.
By Manny Sandoval
T
he Colton City Council has approved an ordinance raising council and mayor pay to $1,600 a month — more than double the current total compensation — after two 3–2 votes and weeks of debate over parity with other cities, fairness to staff and public perception. The increase, adopted Nov. 18 as
Ordinance No. O-11-25, will not take effect until after Colton’s next regular municipal election on Nov. 3, 2026. It replaces the current structure of a $440 monthly salary plus a $242 automobile allowance — a total of $682 per month per elected official — with a single $1,600 monthly salary for each council member and the mayor.
Nov. 18, when it passed the first reading, the vote was 3–2. Mayor Frank Navarro and Councilmember Dr. G opposed the increase both times.
Both on Nov. 4, when the council directed staff to draft the ordinance, and again on
“This action is the result of City Council
On Nov. 18, City Manager Bill Smith said the ordinance implements the direction the council gave at its previous meeting.
Council Compensation, cont. next pg.
Bloomington High Unveils $5.5 Million Ballfields, Leveling Playing Field for Bruins Baseball, Softball
Pg. 5
Redlands Public Market in Historic Packing House Battles Slow First Year After $11M Overhaul Pg. 8
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PHOTO KATIE ORLOFF Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., CJUSD board members, coaches, and Bloomington High softball and baseball players cut the ribbon Nov. 18 to celebrate the school’s $5.5 million renovated ballfields.
nder the glow of new stadium lights, Bloomington High School cut the ribbon Nov. 18 on $5.5 million in renovated baseball and softball fields that local leaders say finally match the pride and effort of Bruins athletes.
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Plan Act funds provided by San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. and $3.7 million from Colton Joint Unified School District Measure G general obligation bond funds. The total does not include a separate $500,000 donation Baca made earlier for varsity baseball foul-ball netting.
softball complex and significant upgrades to the varsity baseball facility. Varsity softball now features a new field and backstop, dugouts, bullpen, batting cage, bleachers and PA system. Varsity baseball received new LED field lighting, synthetic infield turf, outfield fencing, bleachers and a PA system.
The project, held on the Bloomington High varsity baseball field, was funded with $1.8 million in American Rescue
The scope of work includes LED field lights for junior varsity baseball and softball, a complete renovation of the varsity
“Thank you, Coach Sanchez and Coach Contreras, for being here and really work-
By Manny Sandoval
BHS Ballfields, cont. next pg.