After San Benito County’s department heads negotiated a three
percent pay raise across the board last month, the county board of
supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to increase elected
officials’ salaries by the same amount.
Hollister – After San Benito County’s department heads negotiated a three percent pay raise across the board last month, the county board of supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to increase elected officials’ salaries by the same amount.
Tuesday’s vote was the next step following the rules set by a 2002 county ordinance that states elected officials must receive the same pay raises as department heads and at the same time, explained County Human Resources Analyst Jackie Credico. The county’s department heads recently negotiated their first pay raise in two years, Credico said, so the board of supervisors and other elected officials will receive the same three percent raise by law.
“It’s not like they all got together and said ‘Hey, let’s give ourselves raises,'” said Credico.
Board of supervisors Chairman Reb Monaco confirmed Credico’s statement, saying Tuesday’s vote did not constitute a conflict of interest.
“Our pay raises are locked to department heads’ and all other elected officials’ raises. That was voted on before this board was even in place,” said Monaco. “That’s just how it’s always been.”
The pay raises will range from an increase of less than $50 a month for Marshal Robert Scattini to increases of nearly $300 a month for District Attorney John Sarsfield, Sheriff Curtis Hill and Clerk-Auditor-Recorder John Hodges. The three-percent raise is effective retroactively as of Dec. 1, 2004.
The county supervisors will each receive a pay raise of just over $100 a month, bringing their individual salaries up to $3,621 a month in addition to compensation for gas mileage to and from board meetings and a $100 a month car allowance.
While the three percent raise will only apply to elected officials and department heads, local Service Employees International Union Representative John Vellardita said Thursday the SEIU is hopeful this is a sign the county can cough up more money for its other employees.
“We’ve served notices to the county that we are going to reopen negotiations,” Vellardita said. “If the county felt that it had the resources to give a three percent raise to their department heads and officials, then I think it’s only fair that they look at raises for their other employees. The fact that the supervisors approved a three percent raise certainly indicates to us that that could happen.”
Vellardita said the SEIU was hoping for a one percent cost of living adjustment this year.
Jessica Quandt covers politics for the Free Lance. Reach her at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or at [email protected].
