Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Fresno City Council to Vote on 23% Raises in Lame Duck Session
By admin
Published 6 years ago on
December 3, 2018

Share

Oliver Baines hopes to give two of his colleagues and two incoming councilmen a parting gift — a 23% raise.
Baines is headed into the last month of his council tenure. He is termed out, with his service concluding Jan. 8, 2019.
“It’s long overdue. I’ve had the privilege and honor of serving for the last eight years.  In know exactly what it takes to do this job.” Baines tells GV Wire. “I know it’s a tough political issue for colleagues of mine to sponsor something like this. I’m happy to do it on their behalf.”
The council on Thursday (Dec. 6) will vote on raising members’ salaries from $65,000 to $80,000. It would apply to any council member beginning a new term after Jan. 1, 2019.
Why $80,000? Baines said there was no particular calculation.
“It deserves more than that, but I thought $80,000 was acceptable. It was more of a political decision, a middle ground of what is acceptable to the public and fair to my colleagues,” Baines said.

Four Members to Benefit

Thus, Esmeralda Soria (District 1) and Luis Chavez (District 5), who won re-election in 2018, would benefit. So would incoming councilmen Miguel Arias (District 3) and Nelson Esparza (District 7).
The city council president would make slightly more, going from $70,169.50 to $85,000, a 21% raise. Steve Brandau (District 2) is next in the predetermined rotation to serve as council president in 2019. But, he would not be eligible for the pay bump because he is not starting a new term in office.
The council last gave itself a raise in 2006, a hike of 46%. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics calculator, $65,000 in July 2006 is worth $80,774.08 today.

Current Plan Tied to Supervisors

The plan as it stands now would tie future raises to 66% of what the Fresno County Board of Supervisors make. Currently, that amount is $124,454 (66% is $82,139.64). Those raises would be in effect with each new term.
The supervisors’ salary is pegged to the amount a state judge makes, 60% of that base salary, which is currently $207,424. That board policy has been in place since 1994.
In turn, judge’s salary increases are tied to the average raise of all state employees.
However, Baines said he’s likely to scrap that portion, and let future councils decide on their own pay raises.

Second Try

Baines proposed a near-exact measure in Dec. 2017, only to pull it at the start of the meeting. At the time he wanted the process to be more thought out and find a better way to explain it to the public.
The only change in the proposal is the tie-in with the board of supervisors. In Baines’ 2017 plan, it was pegged at 78%. Now, it is just 66%.
The item is scheduled for consent calendar, but is likely will be pulled for further discussion. Baines said its inclusion on consent, which usually does not merit extended debate, was a clerical mistake on his part.
The mayor’s salary will remain at $130,000.

Brandau Says He Will Likely Oppose Raises

Brandau tells GV Wire he is likely to vote no. He also plans to run for the Fresno County supervisor seat, vacated by Andreas Borgeas, who is being sworn in as state Senator today (Dec. 3).
Councilman Garry Bredefeld (District 6) told KMJ radio he has problems supporting the measure if it is tied to the Board of Supervisors.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump Says Putin May Not Want Peace and May Need to Be ‘Dealt With Differently’

DON'T MISS

Is It Bad to Chew Gum All Day?

DON'T MISS

Dollar Doubts Dominate Gathering of Global Economic Leaders

DON'T MISS

US Judge Temporarily Stops West Texas Immigrant Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act

DON'T MISS

Shedeur Sanders’ Long Wait Ends When Browns Take Him in the 5th Round of the NFL Draft

DON'T MISS

Only About Half of Republicans Say Trump Has Focused on the Right Priorities

DON'T MISS

ICE Deports the Mother of an Infant and a 2-Year-Old Who Is a US Citizen

DON'T MISS

Israeli Airstrike Kills 10 People, Half of Them Children

DON'T MISS

Shedeur Sanders Is Still Waiting for a Call as the NFL Draft Enters the Final Day

DON'T MISS

Israel’s AI Experiments in the War in Gaza Raise Ethical Concerns

UP NEXT

Is It Bad to Chew Gum All Day?

UP NEXT

Dollar Doubts Dominate Gathering of Global Economic Leaders

UP NEXT

US Judge Temporarily Stops West Texas Immigrant Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act

UP NEXT

Shedeur Sanders’ Long Wait Ends When Browns Take Him in the 5th Round of the NFL Draft

UP NEXT

Only About Half of Republicans Say Trump Has Focused on the Right Priorities

UP NEXT

ICE Deports the Mother of an Infant and a 2-Year-Old Who Is a US Citizen

UP NEXT

Israeli Airstrike Kills 10 People, Half of Them Children

UP NEXT

Shedeur Sanders Is Still Waiting for a Call as the NFL Draft Enters the Final Day

UP NEXT

Israel’s AI Experiments in the War in Gaza Raise Ethical Concerns

UP NEXT

Paul Skenes Strikes Out 9, Wins Duel With Yamamoto in Pirates’ Victory Over Dodgers

US Judge Temporarily Stops West Texas Immigrant Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act

6 hours ago

Shedeur Sanders’ Long Wait Ends When Browns Take Him in the 5th Round of the NFL Draft

6 hours ago

Only About Half of Republicans Say Trump Has Focused on the Right Priorities

9 hours ago

ICE Deports the Mother of an Infant and a 2-Year-Old Who Is a US Citizen

9 hours ago

Israeli Airstrike Kills 10 People, Half of Them Children

10 hours ago

Shedeur Sanders Is Still Waiting for a Call as the NFL Draft Enters the Final Day

10 hours ago

Israel’s AI Experiments in the War in Gaza Raise Ethical Concerns

10 hours ago

Paul Skenes Strikes Out 9, Wins Duel With Yamamoto in Pirates’ Victory Over Dodgers

10 hours ago

Eovaldi Outlasts Verlander as Rangers Beat Giants

10 hours ago

Rams Take Oregon Tight End Terrance Ferguson in Second Round After Trading Out of First

11 hours ago

Trump Says Putin May Not Want Peace and May Need to Be ‘Dealt With Differently’

President Donald Trump said Saturday that Russia’s escalating bombardment of Ukraine had left him concerned that Russia did not want to end ...

5 hours ago

5 hours ago

Trump Says Putin May Not Want Peace and May Need to Be ‘Dealt With Differently’

5 hours ago

Is It Bad to Chew Gum All Day?

5 hours ago

Dollar Doubts Dominate Gathering of Global Economic Leaders

6 hours ago

US Judge Temporarily Stops West Texas Immigrant Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act

6 hours ago

Shedeur Sanders’ Long Wait Ends When Browns Take Him in the 5th Round of the NFL Draft

9 hours ago

Only About Half of Republicans Say Trump Has Focused on the Right Priorities

9 hours ago

ICE Deports the Mother of an Infant and a 2-Year-Old Who Is a US Citizen

10 hours ago

Israeli Airstrike Kills 10 People, Half of Them Children

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend