New Budget Rejects Low-Pay Proposal

After rejecting a proposal that all new employees be hired at the bottom of the city’s pay scale, the City Council on Monday passed a $43.4-million budget for fiscal 1996-97, which begins July 1.

As a cost-cutting measure, Councilman Lawrence H. Smith had asked the council to consider a policy that would automatically place new hires in the bottom third on the salary scale, a move he said would save $200,000 over four years.

Prospective employees would be willing to accept low pay, he argued, because Mission Viejo is a desirable place to live and work.

But Councilman Joseph D. Lowe said he would be uncomfortable with the concept of hiring highly skilled people at discount rates.

“I don’t want somebody in the one-third salary pool,” he said. “I want the cream of the crop.”

The council did decide that four jobs now being done by temporary workers be filled at the lowest salary level. They are: community service supervisor for the city recreation center, volunteer coordinator, kennel attendant and assistant to the city treasurer.