Grand Jury Report: San Ramon Should Re-Evaluate How Much It Pays Elected Officials

San Ramon elected officials make much more than most of their counterparts in Contra Costa County.

In troubled economic times like these, when government is forced to make deep cuts, local agencies should consider cutting back elected officials' compensation as well, according to the county's Civil Grand Jury in a report that looks at 19 cities and 27 of the largest special districts in the area.

"Although service reductions have been implemented, governing boards have continued to enjoy the same level of benefits," the report says. "They should demonstrate their leadership by eliminating or reducing benefits."

The study shows that San Ramon – with its 60,000 residents – pays its five-member City Council a total of $163,190 a year. Pittsburg, in comparison, pays its entire City Council $40,035 annually and has only a slightly larger population, the study says.

The average annual compensation for city councils in the county was $77,895 last year, the grand jury says.

Each San Ramon City Council member makes more than $2,700 a month in pension, health-care, meeting fees, car allowance and mileage reimbursements, cell phone and Internet stipends and travel and conference costs.

City Council members decide their own pay.

City Councilman Dave Hudson disagreed with the Pittsburg's population count in the report – San Ramon has 9,000 more residents than the far-East Bay city, he said.

And instead of comparing San Ramon to Pittsburg or Walnut Creek, it should be compared to Moraga, Lafayette or any Tri-Valley city, he added.

Moraga and Lafayette city councils get absolutely no salary, meeting fee, pension or health-care compensation, according to the report.

"The grand jury recognizes those agencies that pay nothing or minimum compensation and thus demonstrate the spirit of public service," the document says.

Just based on salary, San Ramon City Council members make about the same as other cities, Hudson pointed out. In cash, he and his colleagues take home about $800.

San Ramon Mayor H. Abram Wilson did not return calls for comment.

Hudson said the long hours San Ramon city officials put in justify the compensation. He's logged hours on Christmas Eve and countless weekends, as have other council members.

"We are nowhere near overpaid," said Hudson, adding that Pittsburg's City Council is probably underpaid.

A salary report the city published on its website shows that council members got $15,591 in gross wages and $800.16 in pension benefits last year and the mayor $17,834.75 in wages and $903.84 in pension contributions.

The city has repeatedly refused to disclose health-care contribution figures, citing patient-privacy laws.

The grand jury report cites San Ramon in every single one of its recommendations.

It says San Ramon should review how much its City Council makes now and whether it's appropriate. It should then consider reducing that amount to bring it in line with other area cities, the report says.

The grand jury says San Ramon should also consider whether it's appropriate to give elected officials health-care and pension benefits.

"The grand jury believes the public should be aware of the compensation paid to their elected officials, what benefits are provided and whether the compensation structure indicates that the spirit of public service has changed to an entitlement of public employment," the report reads.

Other findings (source: see attached pdf)

• The average annual amount spent for each Council was $77,895.
• Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda had minimal expenses for their elected leaders.
• Eight cities compensate their elected leaders more than the average for all surveyed.
• These cities spent an average of $136,145. Of that amount, 76.4 percent was paid for salary and/or meeting fees and health care benefits.
• Twelve cities pay for elected officials' pensions or other forms of retirement benefits.
• Twelve cities pay for elected officials' health care insurance costs.
• Eight cities pay life insurance premiums for elected officials.
• Six cities pay for elected officials' cell phone or Internet access.