Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 09/08/2012 07:11:13 AM PDT
UPLAND – City Council members will hold their first regular meeting Monday following the summer break and intend on tackling their own compensation.
The council will consider reducing their benefits as requested by Councilwoman Debbie Stone during the Aug. 13 meeting.
Stone said she believes the council needs to do its share in controlling city costs, following the city manager’s and department heads’ decision to pay the employee share of their pensions.
“City Council pay has progressively increased over the past 10 years,” she said in an email. “I recognize that the council has given up a couple of reimbursements in the last couple of years, but there are many California City Councils that do not receive any compensation.”
City staff prepared historical information on council pay and benefits for the council to review Monday. The council is not required to take any action.
Each City Council member receives $29,358 in salary and benefits. The mayor receives $33,621.
A reduction in the 2011-12 fiscal year budget resulted in $119,818.86 in total council compensation, which is a 11.3 percent decrease from fiscal year 2010-11, according to a city staff report.
Mayor Ray Musser said the council members already have seen significant decreases in their benefits, including the elimination of lifetime medical coverage, the mayor’s gas card and car allowances for the entire council.
“I’m not in favor of changing it,” he said. “I think we should just leave it where it’s at, no increases but no decrease.”
Councilman Gino Filippi said in email that he does not accept mileage pay, telephone or electronic device reimbursements.
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Mr Ray Musser, I am in it for the community well no i’m in for myself. Remember the the movie line ” gentlemen we have to protect our phony balony jobs”.
Hmmmm… how about the $$ that Musser signed off on for City Manager Quincey’s contract?
Talk about a rip off!
Debbie Stone is trying to make political points cause she’s running for Mayor or it would not even be an issue. The Council only makes $29k including benefits!? Any cuts, even if it was 100%, would be a drop in the bucket of the city’s overall budget. Give me a break. Enought with the symbolic cuts and the political posturing. Make cuts that matter and actually help fix the fiscal problems.
I have an idea. How about cutting the made up job for Dunn’s girlfriend? People say Dunn is a “numbers guy”, I don’t think he was thinking “numbers” when he made an “Assistant to the Executive assistant” job specifically for his girlfriend!!!
Unless Upland is dropped as a defendant in the County Flood Control lawsuit, Upland is FINISHED, bankrupt.Outof control legal fees and arrogance from old guard councilmembers Ken “I am the smartest guy in the room” and Ray “I was chosen by the Lord to be mayor” Musser can be thanked for putting themselves first before the residents of the City of Gracious Living.
Here is a quote from Councilwoman Stone’s recent interview about cutting Council pay:
“We must lead by example, and, if we’re going to ask our other employees to reduce their funds or pay for their pensions, I feel morally the right thing to do is to lead by example.”
Well Ms. Stone, leading by example does not pertain just to Council pay! Leading by example should be an intricate part of everything you do, especially when it comes to your position as a Councilwoman for the City of Upland. INTEGRITY!!!!
To ALL Councilmembers, it is time to step up and start leading by example for the people of Upland!!! Do what is required by Upland policies and the Upland Municipal Code. Investigate your City Managers inappropriate relationship with his direct subordinate. Investigate the damage it has caused to the City of Upland, such as a personally initiated (by the City Manager) fulltime, full benefit position that was given to his girlfriend with no Merit requirements as stated in the Upland Municipal Code. Also investigate the costs of this uneeded and unecessary position (which I saw on a local blog at about $200,000 per year in pay and benefits) and the cutting of other, all ready established and needed positions, due to the recommendations of the City Manager himself.
How can the City Manager recommend cutting positions important and needed one day, and creates an uneeded and unecessary position that he personally benefits himself the next day?
Your quote from above: “WE MUST LEAD BY EXAMPLE…”
Well Ms. Stone, and the rest of the Coincil, time to stop talking your double talk and start doing what is required!!
29k plus bennies?? For sitting around and drinking coffee while pretending to do stuff a few days a month? It’s a shame I missed the filing period.