OXNARD : City Manager’s Pay May Exceed $102,500

The Oxnard City Council will decide Tuesday whether to approve an annual salary and benefits package totaling more than $102,500 annually for the new city manager, Vernon G. Hazen.

Hazen, 54, a former city manager in Escondido, begins his new job in Oxnard today. He replaces David Mora, who was forced to end his five-year tenure in Oxnard after a 3-2 council vote forced him to resign.

Mora earned $95,705 a year, plus a $7,500 annual contribution to his deferred compensation program and a $300 monthly automobile allowance.

Hazen, who was unanimously chosen by the council in June during a closed-door meeting, ended his eight-year tenure in Escondido after he lost the support of a majority of the council.

Under the agreement, Hazen would receive an annual salary of $95,000, plus a monthly $385 automobile allowance. He would also get an annual contribution of $7,500 toward a deferred compensation program of his choice.

Hazen earned $95,000 a year in Escondido.

The employment agreement with Oxnard also includes benefit options, cost-of-living increases; medical, life, dental and long-term disability insurance; workers’ compensation; and retirement benefits.

The city would agree to pay for Hazen’s relocation from Escondido to Oxnard and to provide him with not more than $5,000 for temporary housing and living expenses.

The agreement provides for annual evaluations and allows the council to terminate his contract with six months advance written notice.