Jahr

J.The sole issue in this appeal is whether article XI, section 1, subdivision (b) of the California Constitution (article XI, section 1(b)) permits local voters to set county supervisor salaries by initiative. Citing Meldrim v. Board of Supervisors (1976) 57 Cal.App.3d 341 [ 127 Cal.Rptr. 52 ] (hereafter Meldrim), the trial court ruled it does not. We affirm the judgment.

Factual and Procedural Background

Plaintiff Karen Keating Jahr is County Counsel of Shasta County (County Counsel). By virtue of this position, she is responsible for providing the ballot title and summary for proposed countywide measures. (Elec. Code, § 9105, subd. (a).) Defendants George Casebeer and Aaron Sockwell are Shasta County voters, and members of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Shasta County (Deputies).

On January 9, 1996, the Shasta County Board of Supervisors (Board) enacted Shasta County Ordinance No. 495-14, “An Ordinance . . . Establishing Compensation for Members of the Board of Supervisors.” By its terms, the ordinance took effect 60 days later, in accordance with Government Code section 25123.5 and Elections Code section 9143. No one, including the Deputies, challenged Ordinance…