Posted by Michael, a resident of San Ramon, on Oct 29, 2012 at 3:34 pm

Interesting how the city has been crying poor the last 2 years plus and not filling other key positions. I'm sure they are fine employees but what has changed that the city can now take on new hires?

Posted by Elaine, a resident of San Ramon, on Oct 29, 2012 at 6:45 pm

Micheal, from what I gathered. The City has a policy where they must pay into a pension system for temporary full time long standing employees as the article states. It costs more to pay into that pension program than it does to hire someone "permanently" and use the City's benefit program. Plus the employee turnover rate is high from what is written in the article. Since surrounding cities are constantly hiring full time employees, and raising salaries (san ramon has been on a salary/"hiring" freeze for over 4 years now)it is no wonder why a permanent or temporary employees would leave the city. This is more cost effective, which is what I would want my City Manager to do.

Posted by TomG, a resident of San Ramon, on Oct 30, 2012 at 6:22 am

More band aids. The City should have a goal to stabilize the budget and eliminate all temps and contract employees. How long do you keep a hiring freeze? Get rid of positions you do not need, hire those that you do need, and move on. A freeze should only last as long as it takes you to restructure and move on under a model you can afford. Meanwhile, you probably have employees that are pulling more than their fair share ready to burn out, while others are floating along. 4 years for a freeze? Never heard of one lasting that long. Counterproductive at this point.

Posted by Longtime Resident, a resident of San Ramon, on Oct 30, 2012 at 6:42 pm

TomG, exactly! 4 years and they haven't figured it out by now? Really?

Posted by Sue, a resident of Alamo, on Oct 31, 2012 at 10:17 am

I hardly feel sorry for the City Employees, has anyone pulled up their salaries in the first place....Their salaries are so much higher than the average Joe, don't cry for me Argentina!

They ought to feel lucky they've never been laid off....So their salaries are frozen for 4 years, at least they're still Employed! Those salaries were gargantuan to begin with! Some of us haven't worked in 8 months....try to deal with that my friends...No one can relate once you see their salaries!

Posted by David, a resident of San Ramon, on Oct 31, 2012 at 11:01 pm

Seriously TomG and Sue, the city has made cutbacks and layoffs-I have seen it because I live in San Ramon and attend public meetings, they have gotten rid of and lost some good employees due to their cutbacks, they do not do anything without the public's knowledge. Go check your facts about salaries and benefits before you make uneducated assumptions. Salaries for city employees are dismal, that is a known fact. Looks like San Ramon is getting better financially since they are able to do accommodate these people, Greg Rogers is doing a good job.

Posted by Chris D., a resident of San Ramon, on Oct 31, 2012 at 11:29 pm

I do not mind what San Ramon does, I work for the government in Santa Clara County, and other governments throughout my lifetime, 25+ years. A great city like San Ramon can be trusted to do as they please because we have elected the people to manage our great city. If these few employees are going to be kept so that our city and community stay running efficiently then I am 100% for it, if all it means is they can receive health benefits which is important. I understand because I have gone through these situations many times and seen it in private and public jobs. It is always bad for the company or business when great talent leaves to another company.

I hope the people who reply here are not people who just "hate" government no matter what, it hurts to see people degrade government employees, when actually they come everyday to work for the people of their towns, cities and counties. Because I do.

Sue-> this discussion is not about salaries, it is about making sure they are permanent employees and not laid off. As well as so they are given health benefits and their talents, skill-set, training, intelligence are kept with the city for the city's overall benefit, which in turn will benefit the residents of San Ramon. There are many, many well paying jobs in the Bay Area, cost of living is highest in the nation, if anything salaries in Bay Area are low for all jobs due to the cost of living here. 8 months without a job? and you live in beautiful Alamo? Does not sound bad compared to the homeless, please don't act like you are suffering and some how others deserve it too.

Posted by James von Halle, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 21, 2012 at 7:27 am

Who cares?