SAN CARLOS — City Councilman Andy Klein wants to waive the $300 monthly stipend elected officials in the city receive, the city clerk confirmed.
Klein, 28, who was elected to the council after running unopposed in last November's election, said he doesn't "have the stomach" to take payment from the city while also voting for cuts to city services to close a projected $3.5 million deficit in next year's budget. The council is expected to consider cuts later this year.
"Mainly, it's just a reflection of how deep of a hole we are in as a town, and I think this is a time we all need to pitch in together," said Klein, who grew up in San Carlos and works as an insurance agent in Redwood City.
Klein said he has also opted not to enroll in a health care plan that is offered to council members. He said he hopes other council members would consider giving up their $300 stipends.
City Clerk Christine Boland said Klein turned in his salary waiver request on Wednesday, and no other current council members have submitted waivers. State law allows council members to waive part or all of their salaries.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/localnews/ci_14297976?source=rss
5 comments:
Is there a Andy Klein in Pacifica? Please stand up!
Kathleen:
Jeffrey Simons already stood up. The voters told him to sit down. The City loses. Texas wins.
Jeffrey, as part of his campaign platform to help make Pacifica solvent, offered what Klein did in terms of foregoing compensation if elected. No other candidate or seated Councilmember reciprocated.
Here were the election results in case you missed them:
Election results
It appears as though Jeffrey has taken down his web site (www.votejeff4change.com) where his offer was documented.
It will be difficult to fix Pacifica without Jeffrey actually physically being here. Perhaps you and your friends and neighbors will stand up, Kathleen?
Maybe. I am a little reluctant. I like Jeffrey Simons. I am getting to know him, here on Fix Pacifica. I would like to hear more from you also.
It is interesting how stipends work they are such a trivial amount of money. I really enjoyed the biofuel article you shared in the entry before this one.
Kindest regards,
Tom Bailey
Thanks Tom! Keep reading and keep sharing.
One thing to note, when comparing Pacifica's budget and budget deficits to other cities . . . you really need to compare apples to apples. Some cities have larger "budget deficits" because they have larger budgets and fully staffed city departments. And many of these cities have substantial reserves they just don't want to touch.
Pacifica's budget deficits are generally lower because our operating budget is lower, and this City Council has already gutted the city staff to bare bones levels.
If we calculated Pacifica's "true" budget deficit, taking into account a fully staffed city that hasn't already made the staff reductions Pacifica has made, the number would be much much higher for Pacifica.
Its kind of like trimming payroll from a professional sports team by eliminating players and positions. Sure, you're budget deficit is lower than the other teams, but you're also playing short a few players to begin with . . .
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