|
|
|
Uploaded: Thursday, February 21, 2013, 9:34 PM
Updated: Friday, February 22, 2013, 8:29 AM
San Ramon City Council tops area for pay, benefits
Officials also eligible for hefty pensions
|
|
by Glenn Wohltmann
Photo
 | It pays to be an elected official in San Ramon.
Mayor Bill Clarkson earned nearly $18,000 during his first year in office, plus close to $16,000 in health, dental and vision benefits, a total of $33,404.
His salary may be more than that of the rest of City Council -- $17,691 versus $15,754 -- but that's less than the benefits received by others.
Scott Perkins tops the list when health, dental and vision benefits are factored in, the council member earns $40,321.58.
Next on the list is Vice Mayor Dave Hudson, who brings in $36,076, including $20,322 in health dental and vision.
City Councilman Jim Livingstone receives $23,699, including 7,945 in health, vision and dental.
Councilman Phil O'Loane opted out of health benefits and receives only the $15,754 that every member of City Council earns.
Members of San Ramon's City Council also get a pension.
"They're in the same pension system as the rest of the employees," said City Manager Greg Rogers. "It's based on their stipend."
Clarkson declined to be part of the plan and will not receive a pension, no matter how long he serves.
Rogers said if a councilman serves more than five years, he would get 2.7 percent of his pay multiplied by the length of time served.
For example, he said, if a councilman who serves 10 years with a stipend of $800 a month, he or she would get 2.7 percent of $800 multiplied by 10 years. That comes to $216 a month or $2,592 a year.
A 2011 grand jury report said that San Ramon should reevaluate the compensation it pays city council members.
Neither Danville nor Pleasanton offers pensions for council members.
In Danville, Town Council members get $675 per month -- or $8,100 annually -- and are eligible to be reimbursed up to $250 per month for medical expenses.
The money for medical expenses is held in reserve for Town Council members, according to the town's Public Information Officer Geoff Gillette. He said any money not spent goes back to the town.
In Pleasanton, Mayor Jerry Thorne receives $1,050 monthly, which totals $12,600 a year, while members of City Council get $950 a month or $11,400 a year.
Pleasanton City Council members, including Thorne, also receive a $1,606-per-month health package, a total of $19,279 per year.
"The city pays up to the lowest cost HMO plan," for Council members and the mayor, said Julie Yuan-Miu, assistant Pleasanton city manager.
That brings Thorne's annual compensation to $31,879 while the remaining council members each get $30,679.
Pleasanton eliminated its pension plan years for City Council members ago, while Danville has never had one.Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
|
|
| Comments
|
Posted by Ms. Bunny, a resident of San Ramon, on Feb 22, 2013 at 7:16 am Considering the town we live in, the benefits we enjoy, the excellent services that are maintained? I'm fine with the pay scale of these officials. I may not always agree with the numerous decisions made (ahem, some of the development ideas) nor do one and all who live here, but I think the pay scale is a fair one.
|
|
Posted by Resident, a resident of San Ramon, on Feb 22, 2013 at 8:13 am I don't believe the 27% retirement. That must be a mistake. After 4 years they would get over 100% of salary - that's outrageous or incorrect.
|
|
Posted by MLOliver, a resident of San Ramon, on Feb 22, 2013 at 10:22 am Resident, I believe you misread the percentage. it's 2.7%
MLO
|
|
Posted by Resident, a resident of San Ramon, on Feb 22, 2013 at 1:33 pm This is just another example of the former city government's grandiose image of itself and unrealistic view of the city. What is so special about serving as a council member in San Ramon, as compared to Danville and Pleasanton. Aren't we acting just a bit too big for our britches?
|
|
Posted by Resident, a resident of San Ramon, on Feb 22, 2013 at 3:26 pm MLO - When I read this article early this morning it said 27% not 2.7%. I see it has been corrected.
To the other Resident - it should be noted that Pleasanton pursued a affordable housing case that cost over $5million in legal fees and they lost in the end. Danville is better but they have some significant financial problems and a much smaller budget and population.
|
|
Posted by MLOliver, a resident of San Ramon, on Feb 23, 2013 at 10:56 am Sorry, Resident. After I posted, I did notice that there was an update to the original article, and I figured it was correcting the error.
MLO
|
|
Posted by Billy Goat, a resident of San Ramon, on Feb 24, 2013 at 6:13 am I wonder how san ramon employees feel given the budget has been balanced on their backs the last few years. Vacant positions, no raises in how many years?? furloughs. Come on mayor and city manager, the hit should be spread around equally
|
|
Posted by Dirka_Dirka, a resident of San Ramon, on Feb 25, 2013 at 10:24 pm The Dirka says pensions for municipal politicians is absurd. Budget cuts are necessary, but let's not jump on the whole democratic socialism band wagon, by saying we should spread it around and balanced on the employees back. This is still a free country, get a job somewhere else if you are fed up. If the talent drain is too severe we'll hear about it. That's what is wrong with the whole state and country. Let's get back to good old competitive capitalism. It breeds excellence, not entitlement minded whiners. Socialism breeds no thing but mediocrity. The council's salaries are peanuts in the big picture. The city manager salary was another story altogether.
Dirka says drill, frack, pump and lower taxes, not the opposite. Free market principles on a level playing field! And a goat, the milk is the shizzle! Vote the retreads all out!!
|
|
Posted by Dave, a resident of San Ramon, on Mar 4, 2013 at 4:57 pm The salary for council is less than $10,000. Travel(mileage) expense reimbursement has been added to the total. I haven't spent less than $6,000 annually in travel since the reimbursement went over 50 cents per mile. Any amount over $6,000 comes out of my pocket.
|
|
|
| |
|
Send this story
Print this story
