Board Seeks Review of Benefits Ruling

With potentially millions of dollars at stake, Ventura County officials will petition the state Supreme Court to reconsider a ruling that could boost retirement benefits for thousands of county workers.

The Board of Supervisors on Wednesday approved filing a petition with the court by Aug. 29. The court is expected to decide whether to review its ruling by next month.

The Aug. 14 court ruling requires the county to include extra pay that employees receive--including payments for unused vacation time and uniform expenses--when calculating retirement benefits.

However, the county is asking the court to clarify its ruling.

“We would like the court to reconsider the breadth of the language, which on its face appears to include any benefit which is paid in cash,” said Frank Sieh, chief assistant county counsel.

The case stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the 780-member Ventura County Deputy Sheriff’s Assn. and three retirees.

However, the case could have far-reaching financial consequences for other Ventura County government workers. About 20 counties in the state, as well as local unions representing 5,000 workers, are watching the outcome with interest.

If the court declines to reconsider its ruling--as it does in the majority of cases, when requested--the case would return to Ventura County Superior Court for judgment.