BREA : City Management’s Pay, Benefits Raised

The City Council this week agreed to boost the salary and medical benefits of the city’s management staff.

Twenty mid-level managers and department heads will receive raises ranging from 5% to 21%. The council also voted to chip in more for the group’s medical coverage.

But both actions generated dissent.

Councilman Glenn G. Parker voted against the pay hikes, arguing that the city needs to be more sensitive to the ongoing recession. “It seems to me we are not being very responsible,” Parker said. “At this point in time, there are no compelling reasons to support the increases.”

Councilman Burnie Dunlap agreed with Parker but voted only against the salary hikes proposed for the officials, including the 10 department heads.

“I think we are out of step with reality,” Dunlap said about giving the raises when most companies are tightening their belts.

Mayor Wayne D. Wedin joined Council Members Carrey J. Nelson and Ron Isles in supporting the wage and benefit proposals. But several members suggested that the council may need to “rethink” the salary-adjustment process when pay negotiations begin next year.

The average increase approved for department heads was 5.6%, while the average for mid-level managers was nearly 8%. The council also agreed to pay about $15,000 more for medical coverage.

Assistant City Engineer John Hogan will get the biggest salary raise this year--nearly 21%. His position was reclassified to reflect the council’s belief that Hogan’s work and experience merited higher compensation, Assistant City Manager Tim O’Donnell said.

The city’s tab for the raises comes to about $150,000 for this year. The increases are retroactive to July.