Last Modified: Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 6:12 p.m.
One Petaluma city councilman is returning 10 percent of his salary and benefits to the city's general fund in what he calls a show of leadership and solidarity with other employees asked to take pay cuts to boost the city budget.
In a letter dated Monday to the city clerk, Mike Healy — a candidate for the 2nd District seat on the Sonoma County board of supervisors — enclosed a check for $165.70 to be contributed to the general fund, the budget that pays for city salaries and services including police, fire and public works.
The amount is for January and February, Healy said, adding that he will continue to return about $83 a month until the city employees' unpaid furloughs end.
“I've been saying for a while now that the city council should be sharing the pain, and we're the only city employees not taking a financial hit,” he said. “So I just decided to do it.”
Healy acknowledged the amount is negligible in the city's $33 million general fund budget. “It's mostly just symbolic if I'm the only one doing it,” he said. “But I would say that it's important for council members to share the pain with the employees since we're asking them to take pay cuts.”
Dozens of employees have been laid off and others have agreed to take salary cuts as part of the city's multi-million dollar cost-cutting in the past year. Union employees recently agreed to take unpaid furloughs that equal a 3.1 percent salary reduction.
Healy's move was met by varied reactions from the other five council members and the mayor, Pam Torliatt.
“It's grandstanding and it's really a hollow gesture,” said Councilwoman Teresa Barrett. “I think it's insulting to the city staff, many of whom are head-of-household earners and work here for the benefits.”
Council members receive $5 per meeting, up to $20 a month, and the mayor gets $10 per meeting. They are all eligible for the same health benefits full-time employees receive. If they decline the benefits they receive half the cash value, between $540 and $690 a month.
All six council members, who are covered by a spouse's or other employer's health benefits, choose in-lieu payments. Torliatt, who works with her boyfriend in their ranching business, utilizes the city's health coverage, of which her cost is about $75 a month.
Council members Mike Harris and David Rabbitt applauded Healy's gesture.
Torliatt and Councilwoman Tiffany Renee said they provide leadership in other ways — including volunteering for multiple boards and commissions and paying out-of-pocket for some city business expenses.
Renee said her Web site design business has taken a financial hit this year, just like city employees. She also said she “tithes” 10 percent of her income to nonprofit groups.
“Everyone on this council isn't in it for the money. It is truly a donation of our time,” Torliatt said.
“I'll be happy to sacrifice, too,” Harris said. “I do realize it's purely a symbolic gesture which won't amount to a lot of money, but I agree with the premise of shared sacrifice.”
“If the employees thought it was a valuable show of unity, I'd do it,” Rabbitt said. “But .
.
. I see a more valuable show of unity in increasing the city's revenues rather than by giving $80 bucks back.”
Union leader Doug Silacci said the symbolism is appreciated.
“We realize that it's not going to save a person's job. But hey, we are all in this together,” he said. “You're the council, you're supposed to lead.”
<p>One Petaluma city councilman is returning 10 percent of his salary and benefits to the city's general fund in what he calls a show of leadership and solidarity with other employees asked to take pay cuts to boost the city budget.</p><p>In a letter dated Monday to the city clerk, Mike Healy — a candidate for the 2nd District seat on the Sonoma County board of supervisors — enclosed a check for $165.70 to be contributed to the general fund, the budget that pays for city salaries and services including police, fire and public works.</p><p>The amount is for January and February, Healy said, adding that he will continue to return about $83 a month until the city employees' unpaid furloughs end.</p><p>“I've been saying for a while now that the city council should be sharing the pain, and we're the only city employees not taking a financial hit,” he said. “So I just decided to do it.”</p><p>Healy acknowledged the amount is negligible in the city's $33 million general fund budget. “It's mostly just symbolic if I'm the only one doing it,” he said. “But I would say that it's important for council members to share the pain with the employees since we're asking them to take pay cuts.”</p><p>Dozens of employees have been laid off and others have agreed to take salary cuts as part of the city's multi-million dollar cost-cutting in the past year. Union employees recently agreed to take unpaid furloughs that equal a 3.1 percent salary reduction.</p><p>Healy's move was met by varied reactions from the other five council members and the mayor, Pam Torliatt.</p><p>“It's grandstanding and it's really a hollow gesture,” said Councilwoman Teresa Barrett. “I think it's insulting to the city staff, many of whom are head-of-household earners and work here for the benefits.”</p><p>Council members receive $5 per meeting, up to $20 a month, and the mayor gets $10 per meeting. They are all eligible for the same health benefits full-time employees receive. If they decline the benefits they receive half the cash value, between $540 and $690 a month.</p><p>All six council members, who are covered by a spouse's or other employer's health benefits, choose in-lieu payments. Torliatt, who works with her boyfriend in their ranching business, utilizes the city's health coverage, of which her cost is about $75 a month.</p><p>Council members Mike Harris and David Rabbitt applauded Healy's gesture.</p><p>Torliatt and Councilwoman Tiffany Renee said they provide leadership in other ways — including volunteering for multiple boards and commissions and paying out-of-pocket for some city business expenses.</p><p>Renee said her Web site design business has taken a financial hit this year, just like city employees. She also said she “tithes” 10 percent of her income to nonprofit groups.</p><p>“Everyone on this council isn't in it for the money. It is truly a donation of our time,” Torliatt said.</p><p>“I'll be happy to sacrifice, too,” Harris said. “I do realize it's purely a symbolic gesture which won't amount to a lot of money, but I agree with the premise of shared sacrifice.”</p><p>“If the employees thought it was a valuable show of unity, I'd do it,” Rabbitt said. “But .<th>.<th>. I see a more valuable show of unity in increasing the city's revenues rather than by giving $80 bucks back.”</p><p>Union leader Doug Silacci said the symbolism is appreciated.</p><p>“We realize that it's not going to save a person's job. But hey, we are all in this together,” he said. “You're the council, you're supposed to lead.”</p>