The economy is rough. I don’t have to write those words to know their weight. The California unemployment rate is now at 11.6%. California is in a major budget crisis. Workers in both the public and private sector are taking major pay cuts, but in some cases are expected to work longer hours. I’m currently a new grad, with a Masters degree from a pretty good university, having a hard time trying to even get a phone chat with prospective employers. I totally get it. The economy is bad.

So when I read about a certain Southern California town giving their city manager a 15% salary increase despite forecasts of a troubled city budget, I wondered, is this really appropriate during this time of economic hardship? Frankly, my initial reaction was “What the heck!?!” and “Really??” I was speechless. With the state of economy, how could one even begin to validate that decision? His annual salary with that increase? Over $200,000.

The reasons for a salary increase of that size were:

1. Because the city manager was a retiree from a previous civil serving position, he could make the same amount income staying at home as he did working as a city manager.

2. In these types of times, a city needs someone who knows its ins and outs. The current city manager does.

My thoughts?

You need to make this job worthwhile? Part of me can see that. So the options are: a) I sit at home and make $200,000+ or b) I work and make $200,000. For a lot of people, the choice is clear. But I can’t help think to myself, in these times, is the extra $30,000 worth it’s weight in sacrifices? Is there a surplus? Is $30,000 not that big of a deal? What can an extra $30,000 in the budget fund?

I know that this particular area, compared with the rest of the country, ranks higher than lower when comparing the average SES (Socio-Economic Status). But for me its just bit harder to swallow when so many people who are as deserving are getting major pay cuts and worrying about how they are going to pay for basic necessities.

I’m sure the city manager is a very capable and has an outstanding record. But yet again, I’m still grappling with “Is this really appropriate?” According to PayScale.com, the average salary for a city manager with that amount of experience is at most $100,000. But as I’ve pointed out, this isn’t your average city.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all about paying a person what they are worth. I’m a new grad myself who’s hoping that I’ll get paid big bucks to do something that I love. And as a new grad I have this awesomely massive loan to pay off. Now, I can sit hear and question the validity of such a raise, but in reality, I wonder, if I was offered a large salary for a job that I would do anyways for a smaller amount of money, knowing that the extra money could help out in another area, would I say something? Would I question it? Ironically, I don’t think I would. I’d probably reason it out as “Well, I have the experience.” and “The company is the one who made the salary offer. They must know what’s best.”

But then again, I doubt I’d be offered a $200,000+ salary. It there some imaginary limit to what kind of salary you should feel right about accepting in this economy as a civil servant?

Conclusion: I still don’t know if it’s really appropriate to get that big of a raise as a civil servant. But if I was to be really truthful, and it was offered to me (in the business world), I don’t think I would turn it down.

Related Articles

California Budget Trimmed Further, NY Times

Winner and losers in the budget battle, LA Times

California budget crisis hits students, education workers, Workers World

California Budget Cuts Threaten Closure of State Parks, MotorHome Magazine