Bell is the exception, not the rule, for city managers

On behalf of the Gateway Cities Southeast Los Angeles County City Managers Group, we write to address the alarming information reported in The Times this week about the compensation of Bell’s city manager and other municipal employees and officials. Our group of 27 local city managers reacted with shock and outrage when reading these stories. What’s happening in Bell may not be illegal, but as local government professions and as individuals, we want the public to know that we find the reported compensation of Bell City Manager Robert Rizzo and others (Rizzo is paid nearly $800,000 a year) outrageous and a huge aberration. It is not the norm in our profession.

City managers are responsible for the day-to-day activities of their communities. Services such as public safety, tree trimming, street and sidewalk repair, parks and recreation programming and economic development are some of the tasks undertaken by local government professionals. Good city managers help steer their communities in the right direction and do not betray the trust of their city councils or of the citizens they serve. We believe that the standards of our profession do not permit placing our individual interests ahead of the community’s.

In Bell’s case, we understand that the city has been facing the same revenue shortfalls and budget pressures as most other communities, which makes these disclosures regarding exorbitant compensation especially difficult to understand. Let me assure The Times and its readers, however, that Bell is the exception and not the rule. Our profession is dedicated to public service, not profiting at the public’s expense.

The International City Managers’ Assn. code of ethics state that city managers “should be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all public and personal relationships in order that the member may merit the respect and confidence of elected officials, of other officials and employees, and of the public.”

The city manager profession reflects the solid American ideals of service to others, fairness and a deep commitment to the common good. But as in any other profession, there are a few who do not live up to the standards followed by the vast majority of city managers. We are dedicated to improving the quality of life in our cities, and we encourage Times readers — the public — to become active in their cities and find out more about their local city governments. We understand and agree with Bell residents’ outrage at the exceptionally high pay for their city manager and other officials. Our ongoing obligation and purpose is to keep the faith and trust of the citizens we serve on a daily basis. As public service professionals, that will continue to be our mission.

Lynwood City Manager Roger L. Haley is chairman of the Gateway Cities Southeast Los Angeles County City Managers Group. Stephen W. Helvey, city manager of Whittier, is the group’s past chairman.