Several Fresno City Hall figures received raises at a time the city says it is $20 million short for the upcoming budget year.

On Jan. 31, City Manager Georgeanne White received an 3.2% raise to $308,612. White has been Mayor Jerry Dyer’s city manager since Tommy Esqueda left in January 2022. White received her last contract in March 2024.

Other executives received raises in the new fiscal year, including:

• Animal Center director Alma Torres — a 40% raise to $176,000 from her 2023 contract, signed Feb. 10. The move is also a promotion from deputy city manager;
• Deputy City Manager Jennifer Ruiz — a 7.5% raise to $130,290, signed Sept. 2, 2024;
• Controller Santino Danisi — a 7% raise to $231,107, signed Dec. 2, 2024.
• Deputy Chief of Staff Christopher Montelongo  — a 3% raise to $113,002 signed Jan. 4.
• Deputy Chief of Staff Jordan Sanchez — a 3% raise to $112,995 signed Sept. 11, 2024.

Several others also have received new contracts since last September.

During a budget update on Feb. 13, White said there is no official hiring freeze, but a slowdown. She said the city will fill only “absolutely necessary” positions, with nothing in the budget for raises.

“I think it’s the time for every city employee to understand the belt tightening environment that we’re in right now, and everyone to do their part to help alleviate some of the burden that our decisions have put on our our city’s pocketbooks,” City Councilmember Nick Richardson said.

Richardson did not necessarily disagree with administration pay raises, saying the amount is in line with inflation.

“Responsible pay structure hierarchy should be built in a way that can account for increases in inflation,” Richardson said. “The larger issue lies in how we structure the pay rates in the first place.”

Neither Dyer nor White were available for comment on Monday.

Related Story: With Fresno Budget $20 Million in the Red, Belts Tighten at City Hall

Is City Attorney Next?

City Attorney Andrew Janz could be next. Unlike the mayor’s executive staff and city department heads, Janz’s contract is controlled directly by the city council.

An item labeled “approve city attorney amended at-will agreement” is listed on the agenda, but neither the details nor a contract is posted. Fresno City Council President Mike Karbassi said those details will be released after the item is heard in closed session.

Janz declined comment about his contract, but said he could speak after the vote.

Retirement Administrator Also Wants More

Robert Theller, the administrator for the City of Fresno Retirement System, announced he is retiring. At the same time, the CFRS board will consider increasing the next administrator’s compensation from $271,068 to up to $400,000

Theller received an 8.9% raise starting in January. During a Jan. 30 presentation on the pension fund to the council, Councilmember Miguel Arias asked Theller about his recent raise.

A table of similar positions around the state found the city of Fresno pays below the $353,402 average. Fresno County pays its administrator $233,766. Kern County pays $284,439.

The retirement system is engaged in a lawsuit with the city over full payment of pension benefits to the city’s firefighters.

Theller reserved any comment until after Tuesday’s CFRS meeting.

Phillip Hardcastle, chair of the CFRS board, said Theller’s impending retirement and the request for additional compensation is “loosely related.”

He said the increase is justified and he plans to vote for the increase.

“We do have an issue retaining and hiring new people that are qualified for the specific type of positions that we hire for the retirement system. (This is a) financial position and require financial expertise that goes above and beyond what is municipal financial person would be required to know,” Hardcastle said.

Keeping the compensation at its current level would yield unqualified applicants, Hardcastle said.

Hardcastle said although the city pays into the retirement system for pension benefits, salaries are by the system, and not directly by the city. The retirement system can afford an increase, he said.