Thousand Oaks City Manager Declines $6,000 Pay Increase : Salaries: Grant Brimhall cites concern over anticipated state budget cuts next year. The gesture is praised by the council, but gets mixed reactions from city employees union.

Thousand Oaks City Manager Grant Brimhall, whose annual base salary of $121,860 is the highest of any city manager in Ventura County, has turned down a $6,000 pay raise because of his concern over anticipated state budget cuts next year.

In a letter presented to the City Council this week, Brimhall requested that the city not implement the 5% raise based on his performance evaluation for the 1991-92 fiscal year, which ended June 30.

“I just think it was the appropriate thing to do in view of the budgetary constraints that the state is under and the impacts it could have on local jurisdictions in the coming year,” Brimhall said Thursday.

Brimhall noted that the city had lost $2 million in revenues this year because of state budget cuts. As a result, he said, the city has been forced to institute a hiring freeze, leaving 45 positions vacant.

“Hopefully, the state won’t hit us again next year,” but there are no guarantees, Brimhall said.

City officials said they were somewhat surprised but appreciative of Brimhall’s gesture, given the current economic climate.

“It was very considerate,” Councilman Alex Fiore said. “That’s one of the traits that make him one of the best city managers in the county.”

Fiore said that in the 28 years he has served on the council, he could not recall another time when a top official refused a raise.

Councilman Frank Schillo was equally impressed.

“It was very nice of him,” he said. “I think it shows how he feels about the people in our community who are having hard times.”

But the city manager’s decision to turn down his merit raise drew mixed reactions from the city’s labor union, which represents 145 employees.

“We feel it’s a real noble gesture on his part, but at the same time it’s pretty easy for someone making over $150,000 a year to hold off on a pay raise,” said Ed Rouch, president of the Thousand Oaks City Employees Assn.

Rouch was referring to Brimhall’s entire pay package, which amounts to $156,000 when benefits are included. Rouch said he felt that there was also a little politics involved in the decision, noting that the union will begin negotiating in February on a new two-year contract.

“You can almost see the handwriting on the wall,” he said. “When we sit down to negotiate, this is going to be the first thing we’re reminded of.”

The council at its meeting on Tuesday did approve a 5% pay raise for City Atty. Mark Sellars, raising his annual base salary of $93,252 to $97,920.

And despite turning down his own raise, Brimhall this week authorized merit raises, retroactive to July 1, for eight department managers.

Assistant City Manager Mary Jane Lazz received a 3% pay increase, raising her salary from $100,464 to $103,980.

Treasurer Robert Biery received a 3.5% pay increase, raising his salary from $94,224 to $97,524.

City Clerk Nancy Dillon received a 3% pay increase, raising her salary from $70,764 to $72,744.

Public Works Director John Clement received a 3% pay increase, raising his salary from $93,180 to $95,976.

Planning Director Philip Gatch received a 3% pay increase, raising his salary from $97,920 to $100,860.

Building and Safety Director Barry Branagan received a 3.5% pay increase, raising his salary from $77,280 to $79,992.

Utilities Director Don Nelson received a 3.5% increase, raising his salary from $86,856 to $89,892.

Library Director Marvin Smith received a 4.5% pay increase, raising his salary from $82,715 to $86,436.