By Robert Schussel Ph.D

10/21/08

CITY BENEFITS

ARCANE AND SOMETIMES PETTY

BUT NOT CHEAP

While much of the focus on the current City of Vallejo contracts have been on wages, pensions and health insurance there are many benefits that most people are not aware exist (see chart below).

Some of these arcane benefits seem reasonable like paying for steel toe'd shoes if the City requires them. However others such as replacing wrist watches damaged while fighting a fire seem to be petty, especially since Fire fighters get a clothing allowance of over $1,100

AUTO ALLOWANCE

Why does the City Attorney ($4,800 per yr), the Mayor and

City Manager Secretaries ($1,200 per yr) and Department

Managers ($3,600 per yr) get a car allowance?

CLOTHING ALLOWANCE

The City spends over $300,000 per year for uniforms etc

(approx $1,150) without any accountability. Some proof that the money is

being spent on the intended purpose needs to be implemented.

UNION BUSINESS LEAVE

There is a great deal of disparity between

IEBW being limited to 2 employees while an unlimited

number is allowed for the Public Safety Unions. In addition

IBEW is limited to 150 hours per year versus 600 for

Public Safety.

COMPUTER NETWORK PAY (10%)

Why is anyone in the Fire Dept being paid a

 10% bonus to maintain the computer network when the

City has an IT Department ?

CANINE PAY (7.5%)

Getting an extra $150 per week to care for a dog

seems excessive. This amount is tied to wages not real

costs.

SHOOTING BONUS

Why isn’t shooting proficiency a part of the job

requirement and not something to be rewarded ?

EMT PAY (5%)

Since the City will only hire FFs with a Paramedic

Certificate why is anyone allowed to collect this ?

MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE

Why are management positions being paid a bonus ?

(120 hrs of base pay)

WATCH REPAIR

Probably one of the most petty benefits. Firefighters get a

clothing allowance of $1,165 and watch replacements

should be included.