Four of the five elected department heads for San Benito County
appear ready to accept pay cuts through June 30, 2012, according to
a proposal on Tuesday’s board agenda.
Four of the five elected department heads for San Benito County appear ready to accept pay cuts through June 30, 2012, according to a proposal on Tuesday’s board agenda.
The four elected department heads set to accept the cuts – 5 percent from July through June 2012, along with an additional 5 percent taking effect from Jan. 8 through the term of the agreement – are Assessor Tom Slavich, Treasurer Mary Lou Andrade, Clerk Joe Paul Gonzalez and District Attorney Candice Hooper.
Sheriff Darren Thompson, serving his first year in the position, declined to accept the pay cut. He cited how the county had him start at the first of six pay steps, while former Sheriff Curtis Hill had been at the highest pay step when he retired.
Thompson’s annual salary at “Step A” is $139,056, while the maximum for the job is $177,540, according to county records. Some newly hired department heads have started at higher pay steps. When hired last fall, Planning Director Gary Armstrong received a $152,568 salary – before a 5 percent furlough reduction – about $15,000 more than the prior department head, Art Henriques.
Thompson called it a “tough pill to swallow” being brought in at the lowest pay step, but said he is “not complaining because everybody’s taking a hit.”
A human resources official could not be reached immediately for information on total savings or other department heads’ salaries.
For a prior story on county pay cuts, go here.
