Gilroy
– City Council members have voted to forego their annual raise
for a third year in a row, a small but symbolic gesture as
officials remain deadlocked with Fire Local 2805 over its request
for wage and benefit increases.
Gilroy – City Council members have voted to forego their annual raise for a third year in a row, a small but symbolic gesture as officials remain deadlocked with Fire Local 2805 over its request for wage and benefit increases.
Council members currently earn $8,240 annually, while Mayor Al Pinheiro earns $12,360. Based on the most recent index for cost-of-living adjustments, councilmen could have taken an additional $131 in annual pay, while the mayor could have received another $198. The combined pay raise would cost taxpayers an additional $989 each year.
“We realize the amount of money is not going to make or break the city,” Mayor Al Pinheiro said. “But we can’t be telling everybody that things are tight and then not set an example.”
This is the third year in a row councilmen have passed up the pay raise. Earlier in the year, City Administrator Jay Baksa agreed to forego a yearly salary increase at the request of councilmen.
City officials have also refused to budge on any of the fire union’s labor demands, sending negotiations to a third-party mediator for the second time in just five years.
City officials, who are now putting together a “zero-increase” budget for the next five years, have warned that any number of economic factors outside the city’s control could precipitate a budget crisis. The triggers include an unfavorable decision in third-party mediation with the fire union, an economic downturn, or additional state raiding of local tax revenues. In anticipation of such scenarios, officials have compiled a list of potential program cuts ranging from eliminating Fourth of July fireworks to closing the senior center.
Officials will analyze the city’s current financial situation at a May 9 budget workshop at City Hall. Information from that session, they say, will help inform discussions on potential program cuts.
What:
City budget study session.
When:
May 9, 6pm
Where:
Council Chambers at City Hall, 7351 Rosanna St.
Source: City of Gilroy
