Computer Agency Bonuses Approved

The San Diego City Council approved a $26.2-million fiscal 1990 budget Monday for its nonprofit computer agency that includes $49,500 for bonuses and suggestion awards for agency managers and employees.

The budget continues the San Diego Data Processing Corp.’s record of distributing far more in bonuses, proportionately, than any of the city’s quasi-public agencies or the city itself.

The agency has given out more than $200,000 in bonuses to its employees over the past five years, including $10,000 payments to Executive Director Robert Metzger in fiscal 1987 and 1988.

Metzger and Councilmen Bruce Henderson and Ron Roberts defended the payments Monday as necessary to keep the agency competitive with private-sector computer firms in attracting and keeping top personnel. But Councilman Bob Filner suggested that the bonuses were excessive when added to top executives’ salaries.

Metzger, for example, will be paid about $111,000 during the fiscal year that concludes June 30, 1990, and will be eligible for a bonus equal to 10% of his salary.