A Tough Balancing Act

While the Ventura County Taxpayers Assn. is aware that there have been generous supplemental payments to top county officials, we recognize that in the entire scheme of the county budget of $760 million, it is a very small percentage. However, there is a perception that some of the benefits are so generous as to not consider the taxpayers’ point of view at all (e.g. six months salary bonus for an official who loses an election or retires).

The Ventura County Taxpayers Assn. has always stated that it will support appropriate wages for highly skilled and competent people. But those wages should be paid as wages and not benefits which are obscured from the public view and which later will continue to be a cost to the taxpayers through extended retirement benefits.

Management compensation is always difficult. But it is particularly difficult in government which uses essentially other people’s money. And it is an issue of extreme sensitivity in very difficult economic times such as the present. Sensitivity to the taxpaying public is needed, as well as common sense, to make sure that the management of Ventura County is paid appropriately for the high level of professionalism which we the citizens receive.

LINDSAY F. NIELSON

President

Ventura County Taxpayers Assn.

Ventura