“GIGO.” Garbage in, garbage out.
The city of San Diego lifeguards are probably the highest compensated in the state — but America’s Finest City has a policy of not reporting the full cost of benefits. Or even MOST of the costs. “Too much trouble,” apparently.
Looking at the highest CA lifeguard compensation figures in the article below, it appears to me that the only benefit cost my city includes is health insurance — nothing for pensions, 401k plan, disability insurance, life insurance, retiree health care, etc., etc. And let’s not overlook the unfunded liability cost (seldom reported) for employee pensions, retiree health care, disability, etc.
Look at the life guard “benefits” cost listed for the six top CA lifeguards:
1. Huntington Beach — $61,155
2. LA County — $37,917
3. San Diego — *** $9,845 ***
4. Huntington Beach — $59,800
5. LA County — $35,137
6. LA County — $41,310
While each CA jurisdiction is required to submit this employee compensation data annually, the devil is in the details. Cities and counties pretty much report however they please. While the city of San Diego is not the only miscreant in its systematic policy of omission, it seems to be one of the worst. Indeed, arguably Huntington Beach is the highest in this lifeguard survey because it’s likely that city is the most honest jurisdiction in reporting total benefit costs.
The lesson is that — as high as the reported figures are for CA public employee compensation, these are FLOOR costs. A full accounting would too often show that the TOTAL pay and benefits are higher. Sometimes MUCH higher.
California’s 28 top-paid lifeguards — San Diego is well-represented in upper ranks
Comments 2
Mr. Rider, did the Navy teach you how to swim? I know they taught you how to snivel. Your jealous aren’t you. I wonder if some Lifeguard at Wind an Sea kicked sand in your face?
I am wintering at Mike’s oasis near the Johnson Landing, Salton Sea. Homes and taxes are dirt cheap, here. Our rescue services are all volunteer.
You want to trim the budget on Public Safety? Go ahead. Volunteers offer great talent and most know how to swim.
I summer near Lake Cuyamaca. Check out our state of the art volunteer Fire Rescue. No pensions there. Most volunteers would pay to go code three on a response.
Rider, I talk the talk as I have walked the walk. Why do you always like to PUNK PUBLIC SAFETY? Why? I know why. Why no financial support for the Soledad Memorial wall? You are all talk.
Lifeguards are pure stud………You are still little Red Rider…….
Author
Idaho Mike — I admire your courage. NOT.
If you’re such a gutsy guy, why write personal attacks anonymously? Coward.
I don’t “punk” public safety. I “punk” CA public safety, which is HUGELY overpriced. Last month I spent a morning with the Brookings (South Dakota) fire department, discussing their operations. Two paid, 45 volunteers. Five fire stations, terrific fire fighting equipment and great training. First rate operation! (Did I mention it was January?).
THOSE are my firefighter heroes. Not the overpaid CA union whiners like yourself who lack the courage to admit who they are.
After the disastrous Cedar Fire in San Diego, I tried to develop interest in a volunteer reserve fire brigade to help battle brush fires. I wanted to volunteer. The SD FD union would not even consider it — they wanted only UNION “boots on the ground.”
“Your” heroes ban volunteers. Some heroes!