While I commend our city's Leadership Team in taking voluntary reductions, our city council must be open and honest with the community and take ownership of their financial missteps; otherwise, Walnut Creek is doomed to repeat our mistakes. One thing that my opponents and I agree on is that we need to get total compensation of our city workers under control. While some of my opponents would like to blame our problems on certain employee groups we need to address all compensation to solve this problem.
At the same time the council was asking our city employee groups take pay cuts or freeze compensation, they gave massive raises to our city leadership. Additionally, the city's leadership salary has grown at a much higher rate than CPI.
Please note: data is missing in the compensation data if the employee did not work the full year in the position or a position was not filled that year:
In 2008 and 2009, our Assistant City Manager was paid over 8% more than the year before. This increase was during the worst economic conditions since the 1930s. Additionally, since 2000 the position's salary grew about 25% faster than CPI:
In 2008 and 2009, our City Attorney was paid an average of more than 6% more than the year before, again, all during the worst economic conditions since the 1930s. Additionally, since 2000 the position's salary grew about 25% faster than CPI:
Walnut Creek deserves new leadership that will bring financial common sense back to City Hall For new leadership that rebuilds the city's long-term financail health make an investment in me:
Sources:
CM ASM CA Compenstation - Provided by the city staff
