Councilmember Carl DeMaio issued the following statement in reaction to the recommendation to raise Mayor and City Councilmember salaries from the City’s Salary Setting Commission: “I urge the Mayor and City Council to reject these salary increases. The city faces a severe fiscal crisis – and our taxpayers are feeling the pinch of a rough economy. ”
“Furthermore, I call on the salary setting commission to examine reform to elected official pensions – which are the costliest and richest benefit packages of any city employee group. I would like to see reform of pensions for all city elected officials so we can lead by example.”
On his first day in office, Councilmember DeMaio gave up his elected official pension and issued a memorandum to the City Comptroller and Pension Administrator refusing to enroll in the city pension system. That move saved taxpayers $38,000 per year.
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I’m just amazed that the Council would even consider it. And here’s something else-They are considering expanding the Council. How about cutting a seat or two, plus their staff. A real savings there. I’m still waiting for the entire Council to wake up and show some real fiscal responsibility.
I agree with the previous entry. I think the this commission’s findings are preposterous… a city almost in bankruptcy wanting to raise salaries for their mayor and city council… My God! where has all the common sense gone? The stand that Carl took is the reason I voted for him. He’s actually doing what we elected him for… representing our wishes for common sense government.
It’s important to understand how the San Diego Salary Setting Commission is selected. The city council does not select the members.
At least, that’s what we are supposed to believe.
Unless things have changed (which I doubt), the city council selects the people who in turn select the members of the commission.
So guess what? The commission comes up with a ludicrous recommendation for soaring salary increases to placate the city council. Then the city council takes a more “reasonable” position — raising their salary for some lower amount.
This is NOT an independent commission. It’s selected by people who want favors or patronage from the city council. Follow the money.
As far as I know, no media outlet has investigated this story.