Reader criticizes the pay policy passed for top employees at
City Hall
City Hall Pay Scheme an Incredible House of Ruinous Financial Cards
Dear Editor,
The Dispatch published a Web Poll and a “Local Opinions” six-citizen query: “Should the mayor of Gilroy and city council members be paid full-time salaries and benefits?” The results: 9 percent yes, 91 percent no. Great – except for one missing fact: What salary/benefits were under consideration?
Had the obvious salary, with comparable benefits, been suggested as based on the recent financial shuck-and-jive presented by Gilroy Administrator Jay Baksa, what results then? In assuring some 40+ Gilroy manager-level “gimmies” be given raises whether deserved or not, Baksa claimed each should be 15 percent higher in pay than any underling … a get-rich scheme benefiting the few.
Within Gilroy’s governmental structure the final beneficiary of this self-serving would not be Baksa, to whom all the managers report, but Baksa’s bosses, the seven-body city council. If, as rumored, Baksa receives a $200,000 as yearly salary, his bosses must receive salary/benefits15 percent higher than Baksa – or $230,000 each plus benefits.
That’s how the Baksa giveaway plan to benefit the top level works … and it was his convoluted nonsense Baksa and the mayor sought to slip through council review via the consent calendar.
Another ludicrous but potential way Gilroy’s budget can too soon be primarily thrown to the 40+: Gilroy’s police chief is paid $175,000 yearly. A raise for him will come automatically to meet this Baksa rule – the chiefs salary must be 10 percent higher than that paid to any chosen neighboring community police chief – consideration and implementation to be done twice a year – and such an increase somehow will trigger raises amongst the 40+ also … though why only Baksa and the mayor seem to know.
Possible scenario: On Feb. 1, 2008, the Watsonville City Council increases its police chief’s salary to $190,000. Come June 30 following some final review, Gilroy’s chief receives a $34,000 raise from $175,000 to $209,000 (10 percent higher than Watsonville’s chief). On Aug.14, 2008, Morgan Hill raises their chief’s salary to $225,000. Come Dec. 30, following that same type final review, Gilroy’s chief receives a $38,000 raise, from $209,000 to $247, 5000 (10 percent higher than Morgan Hill’s chief).
One year only and, by the nonsensical financial giveaway program created and promote by Baksa and supported by the mayor and varied council members, Gilroy’s police chief could receive a $72,000 raise. This makes sense?
James Brescoll, Gilroy
