OXNARD : Council OKs Raises for Clerk, Treasurer

The Oxnard City Council voted Tuesday to give a cost-of-living raise to City Clerk Mabi Plisky and Treasurer Dale Belcher, the two city department heads who are elected officials.

But council members delayed a decision on a proposal by City Manager Vernon Hazen to raise Belcher’s salary from $53,500 to about $61,000, and Plisky’s from $54,800 to about $61,000.

Personnel Director Dene Jones said the raises were needed to place Plisky and Belcher on a par with other Oxnard department heads. A survey of 10 California cities of comparable size showed that Plisky and Belcher earn 23% less than their colleagues, on average, Jones said.

Council members said they would consider further pay raises before November’s municipal election. Although they pointed out that they are happy with Belcher and Plisky’s performance, council members said Oxnard residents should vote on whether a substantial pay raise is justified.