County Leaders Take Pay Cut
Sonora, CA — Numerous Tuolumne County officials and elected leaders are taking a voluntary pay cut.
At today’s Supervisors meeting, CAO Craig Pedro announced that he plans to reduce his base salary and benefits for a period of three years.
Pedro says that his annual salary reduction will reflect the equivalent of 15 furlough days. He will cap his cafeteria contribution at 150/month less than fiscal year 2008/09 levels, refrain from cashing out 200 hours annually of leave accruals, and reduce his county paid deferred compensation contributions by $12,500 annually.
Pedro’s actions will save the county $38,400 annually in compensation costs and $28,700 or 18.5% in net payments made directly to his behalf.
County Clerk and Auditor Controller Debi Russell read a letter signed by herself, Sheriff Jim Mele, District Attorney Donald Segerstrom, Tax Collector Del Hodges and Recorder Ken Caetano stating that they also plan to make voluntary financial concessions.
The five agree to reduce their compensation by 9.5 percent, saving the county a combined $57,500.
All five Tuolumne County Supervisors verbally agreed at Tuesday’s meeting to take similar reductions, much like they did last year to help balance the budget.
It was noted at the meeting that numerous other county officials not listed are also planning to make salary and benefit concessions.
Written by bjhansen@mlode.com.
