San Juan Bautista City Councilman Chuck Geiger took issue with
the city manager’s contract Tuesday, calling for cost-cutting
changes to help the city save money.
San Juan Bautista City Councilman Chuck Geiger took issue with the city manager’s contract Tuesday, calling for cost-cutting changes to help the city save money.
Geiger, who presented his ideas during the public comment portion of the Council meeting, said changes were needed to City Manager Larry Cain’s contract because of impending state budget cuts facing communities.
“It is our job as Council members to exercise fiscal responsibility,” Geiger said.
Cain signed his current contract with the city in February 2002, with a base salary of $56,500. Geiger said it should remain the same, but the retirement contribution of 13 percent of the base salary, totaling $7,345, should be eliminated.
“This is too costly,” he said.
Geiger, who said the changes would save the city $30,000 per year, also wanted the monthly vehicle allowance of $450 per month to be reduced to $200 or a rate of 36 cents a mile with verifiable records of date and time listing the city’s business.
Cain, who told Council he did not request that his contract be reopened, said he was happy with the current terms.
Geiger also suggested changing vacation leave of 14 days to 10 days without carrying over into the following year. He also wanted to remove the buildup of sick leave and any unused days should not be converted into cash.
In addition, the city should not be paying the $65 a month contribution toward the cost of the city manager’s existing life insurance coverage, he said.
“I don’t believe the city can afford it,” Geiger said.
However, the benefit reductions did not sit well with most of the Council or the public.
Resident Robert Quaid said if the city were to look for another city manager, it would be difficult because of the salary.
“I would guess San Juan is at the low end of the pay scale,” Quaid said. “I don’t think we are overpaying the city manager with his benefits. If you go out and, to find a new city manager, you will come nowhere near what we are paying our city manager.”
Councilman George Rowe said, “When this contract was first brought to us, we did not approve it right away. We tore it apart and made changes. And Larry accepted those changes.”
Councilman Dan Reed also took issue with the idea.
In a 4-1 vote, Council approved to allow Geiger to return with his proposal next month for another review.
