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Government
Santa Ana to pay new city manager more than $500,000 annually
2013-08-09
[LATIMES] Santa Ana has hired away Phoenix's city manager and has agreed to an annual salary and benefits package of more than half a million dollars, instantly making him one of the highest paid city employees in California.

David Cavazos, a longtime Phoenix employee who rose through the ranks from intern to city manager during his 26-year tenure, would have a total compensation package of $558,625 in his first year in Santa Ana.
If they hired a person who was 80% as good for half the pay, wouldn't they be ahead?
Only the city manager in tiny Indian Wells is listed as having a higher salary and benefits package at $677,172, according to the state controller's office, which most recently released data for 2011. That paycheck included a severance payout to the city manager, who was stepping down .

In Santa Ana, Cavazos will earn a base salary of $315,000, the same basic salary he made as the chief executive in Phoenix, which has a population of 1.47 million. Santa Ana has a population of about 330,000.

With benefits, the city expects to pay Cavazos $558,625 in the first year of his contract, with the figure dropping to $515,000 in his second and third year, according to a report prepared for the City Council. Among the benefits Cavazos will receive are $36,000 for housing in the first year and $24,000 per year after that. In addition, he will receive $7,500 in moving expenses, several sick and vacation days, and insurance benefits.

In an interview with The Times, Cavazos said he doubts he'll reap all of the benefits allotted to him in his contract.

"I haven't taken a sick day in 10 years. Some of those costs are not going to occur," he said. "I'm not leaving for the money. I'm not going there for the money. Just like I came here for an opportunity, I'm going to Santa Ana for an opportunity."

Though much smaller than Phoenix, Santa Ana is the county seat in Orange County and a political power base. But the densely packed city has struggled with budget problems in recent years.

Cavazos noted that he helped Phoenix emerge from a $277-million budget deficit and that it now has "the highest contingency fund in city history."

Santa Ana leaders praised Cavazos for his experience and said they believe he will help bring in economic development and federal dollars.

"You get what you pay for," Councilwoman Michele Martinez said. "We wanted the best and we didn't want to shortchange our city. He's very qualified; we didn't want to nickel and dime."

Phoenix officials gave Cavazos a $78,000 pay raise late last year, boosting his base salary to $315,000. The raise sparked controversy there. Defenders argued it would help retain a talented manager and put his pay in line with cities similar in size to Phoenix.
Worked well...
Posted by:Fred

#14  Santa Ana is being run by the Yankees, and they've just signed A-Rod
Posted by: regular joe   2013-08-09 17:29  

#13  And worth every penny of it, Sparkey!

What's a packed Rolodex worth nowadays?
Posted by: Pappy   2013-08-09 15:14  

#12  Santa Ana should of hired the manager from Detroit... it least that guy has some experinece in managing a city into bankruptcy.
Posted by: airandee   2013-08-09 14:42  

#11  "He is paid 2308.37 per day or 230.83 an hour or
3.84 a minute."

And worth every penny of it, Sparkey!

/sarc
Posted by: Barbara   2013-08-09 13:41  

#10  total compensation package of $558,625 in his first year in Santa Ana.

I'm giving him 15 days of vacation plus 4 legal holidays by California law - includes Cesar Chavez Day (Mar 31) and Black Friday ( day after Thanksgiving )

works 242 days in a year.... does not take sick days ... "I haven't taken a sick day in 10 years. Some of those costs are not going to occur," he said.

So works say 50 hour work week - 5 days a week @ 10 hours a day.

He is paid 2308.37 per day or 230.83 an hour or
3.84 a minute.
Posted by: Spanky Whutle5172   2013-08-09 13:25  

#9  Unlike most installation commanders he will not be taking over a normally well run organization. He's taking on poorly run, in debt, politically created city. If he manages to turn it around he will have earned every penny. If not, I suspect there is a performance requirement for his employment.

Wonder how long it will take the politicians that hired him to start squealing about and resisting the measures he will have to take?
Posted by: tipover   2013-08-09 11:59  

#8  Unless its an installation with line troops, the post commander has security (MPs etc), facilities engineers, etc, the full community requirements. The difference that the uniform operator has over the civilian is the ability to administratively 'kick off post' destructive influences before they become a UCMJ issue (or federal law if you dealing with civies).
Posted by: Procopius2k   2013-08-09 11:44  

#7  no civil employee is worth than their military counterpart.
Posted by: newc   2013-08-09 11:44  

#6  Installation commander assignments in the Army are generally ash & trash, cat herding jobs. Next stop, retirement. Not prime time.
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-08-09 11:25  

#5  Marine Corps installation, it's also a Colonel. Same thing: base housing, Tricare, etc. Not called an installation commander here; actually the senior non-star on the commanding general's staff.

The difference between an installation commander and a city manager is that the former's authority stems from ability, rank and position. The latter is based on ability, resume, and connections (social and political.)
Posted by: Pappy   2013-08-09 11:17  

#4  We're talking installation commander. Whether the installation (vice city) or higher command (vice state/fed) are additional factors are applicable to any perspective. Those costs are 'sunk' and are generally not negotiable in individual hiring and firings.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2013-08-09 09:36  

#3  Colonel, in computing the salary of the installation commander, you've forgotten to include the hidden overhead costs of TRADOC and FORSCOM. :-(
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-08-09 08:29  

#2  For perspective, an installation commander, usually a colonel(O6), on a military post fills most of the same demands that a city manager does. The monthly pay is about $7,898, throw in housing (not something new and fancy), and medcare (military Tricare). That's a hell of a lot cheaper than 500K a year. Somebody doesn't know how to shop. Actually, they don't care. It's not their money. Play it safe, pay premium.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2013-08-09 08:13  

#1  I'm not leaving for the money. I'm not going there for the money....'

Said every pro athlete... never.
Posted by: Raj   2013-08-09 00:47  

00:00