VENTURA : Council to Vote on Worker Buyout Plan

In an effort to reduce its work force and save money, the Ventura City Council on Monday is expected to approve a proposal that would encourage some city employees to retire early.

The proposed plan would credit eligible employees with an extra two years of service so their pensions would be calculated at a higher rate, said Steve Dunn, personnel officer for the city.

Dunn said he thought only two or three employees would take advantage of the plan. About 655 people are on the city’s payroll.

“Most people, unless they are independently wealthy, cannot afford to be without a job,” Dunn said.

If one to five employees retire early, the city could save between $32,000 to $121,000, Dunn said. Five is the maximum number of workers city officials expect to take advantage of the plan.

Only 30 employees in certain job classifications would be eligible for the buyout, and workers would have to be at least 50 years old and have accrued at least five years of service in the Public Employee Retirement System.

Twenty job classifications have been targeted. They include secretaries, clerical office workers, maintenance workers, police officers, police corporals and assistant fire chiefs.

Any vacancies would be unfilled, Dunn said.

If approved by the council, eligible workers would have 180 days, beginning June 27, to consider the offer.