County Department Heads Get 1st Salary Raises in 3 Years : Government: Citing rosier fiscal picture, supervisors OK hikes of up to 4%. Those getting top increase include sheriff, district attorney and county administrator.

The county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved the first pay raises in three years for department heads, including Sheriff Brad Gates and Dist. Atty. Michael R. Capizzi.

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The raises reflect the county’s improving fiscal picture, County Administrative Officer Ernie Schneider has said.

The raises range from 2.5% to 4%, based on job performance reviews recently completed by Schneider and the board. Department heads were judged on their ability to increase efficiency, stay within their budgets, generate new revenue and practice innovative management techniques.

The supervisors also considered the officials’ interpersonal skills and whether they motivated employees.

Of the county’s 27 top managers, 14--including Gates, Capizzi and Treasurer-Tax Collector Robert L. Citron--received the highest raises available.

Schneider, Human Resources Manager Russ Patton, County Counsel Terry C. Andrus and Larry J. Holms, director of fire services, also received 4% raises.

With the board’s approval, Schneider’s salary rose from $135,512 to $140,940. Capizzi’s salary rose to $126,214, and Gates’ jumped to $115,689.

Among the nine managers who received 2.5% raises are Ronald Y. Butler, head of the public defender’s office, and Assessor Bradley L. Jacobs.

Absent from the list of executives receiving pay hikes were County Clerk Gary L. Granville and beleaguered Recorder Lee Branch, whom supervisors censured earlier this year after an investigation concluded that he sexually harassed two female employees and mismanaged his department.

Voters on Nov. 8 will elect either Granville or Branch to serve in the newly combined position of Recorder-Clerk.

Supervisors will consider granting a raise to whomever wins the election, Schneider has said.