HUNTINGTON BEACH : Council Approves Pay Hikes of 19 1/2%

The City Council this week agreed to give 19 1/2% pay raises over three years to police officers, the city attorney, city clerk, city treasurer and non-elected administrators.

The salary increases are proportionally equivalent to raises approved earlier this month for City Administrator Michael T. Uberuaga and members of the Municipal Employees Assn., which represents most city employees. The city’s firefighters’ contract does not expire for another year.

The package grants 8 1/2% pay increases retroactive to Jan. 1, 5% raises next year and 6% increases in 1993. The city, however, will cut its current spending on employees benefits by 2% because of a change in retiree medical funding.

With the new raises, City Atty. Gail C. Hutton will earn $99,900 a year, City Treasurer Donald Watson will get $71,160, and City Clerk Connie Brockway, $67,020. Hutton, Watson and Brockway each has an individual contract with the city because they are elected officials.

Seventy-two people in non-elected administrative positions, who are represented by the Management Employees’ Organization, will also receive raises. The new salaries will range from as much as $50,940 for the coordinator of the city’s Fire-Med program to as much as $86,424 for the city engineer.

City officials in March agreed to compensation terms with the Police Officers Assn., but the council postponed approving that package until other employees’ contracts were settled. Annual pay for officers will now range from as much as $30,912 for recruits to as much as $56,244 for sergeants.

Robert Franz, deputy city administrator for personnel, said recently that the pay raises will help the city keep and attract well-qualified employees but will not overtax the city resources. The council is attempting to reduce city spending. Council members in March made $3.8 million in budget cuts, and Uberuaga has recommended trimming another $3.4 million before the 1991-92 budget plan is approved next month.