GET RICH QUICK: JOIN CITY HALL

The day of economic reckoning is here. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned “Recently, incoming information has suggested that the baseline outlook for real activity in 2008 has worsened.” To the average Mr. and Ms. American, this cryptic message means “Sorry… we now have to tell you the truth, the economy has tanked not today, but way back in years 2005-2006.

All Presidential candidates now consider the economy a top priority equal to the Iraq war in the minds of most Americans. Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan blamed the “intolerable increases and the out of control government spending.” One would think the city of San Francisco will get a clue. Yet, the continually increasing freewheeling spending spree at City Hall belies that fact.

In year 2003 before Mayor Gavin Newsom took office, there were only 2,693 employees making over $100,000 per year.

In year 2007, the Controllers Office reported a staggering 8,185 employees or 28% of the 28,788 personnel making over $100,000 per year not counting benefits, expense accounts, and low interest rate for housing loans. There are also over 1,300 employees making more than $150,000 per year.

The total pay for city hall employees making over $100,000 per year is $1.039 Billion or 17% of the total 2007 annual $6.4 Billion Budget. The top wage earners received $859 Million in regular pay, $107 Million in overtime and another $74 Million in “other pay”, as in bonuses.

Members of the “Club $100,000+” include police officers generating $239 Million, firefighters generating #170 Million, Public Health-Community Health Network employees in neighborhoods generating $132 Million and Municipal Transportation Authority employees overseeing Muni, Parking and Traffic, winning $87 Million in pay.

The artistry in padding ones salary seems to be a combination of regular pay, overtime and other pay like bonuses. County jail nurse Christian Kitchin continues to be at the top of the list of highest wage earners for years. Last year he earned $350,323, which includes $117,262 regular pay. He earned $216,276 in overtime. He also earned “other pay” for $27,452. Kitchin’s boss, Joe Goldenson, Director/Medical Director for Daily Services, explained that Kitchen works in a “as needed” city position and does not get benefits. He is filler for regular staff, doesn’t have set hours and works in different county jails.

Nathaniel Ford of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority which oversees parking, traffic, and Muni (the killing machine) made $325,451, which does not include benefits, car, expense account, low interest loans, and free Muni fast pass for each of his family members.

Edward Arce of the Fire Department earned $270,170 having a $78,949 regular pay, $80,708 in overtime, and $110,511 other pay.

Michael Gaynor of the Police Department made $265,214 a regular pay $108,226; overtime $124,713, and other pay $32,275.

Amy Hart of Administrative Services made a grand total of $280,195, a $264,524 regular pay and $15,670 other pay.

Chief Heather Fong made $256,616, with $11,456 other pay on top of her $245,160 regular pay.

Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White made $252,638, with $16,548 other pay on top of her $236,090 regular pay.

Stuart Sunshine, the mayor’s chief then deputy chief of staff made $216,613. Part of his salary was paid out of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority budget.

Trent Rhorer of the Human Services Department, which oversees the homeless programs, earned $235,171, with a $233,171 regular pay and a $2,000 other pay.

Since Newsom became mayor, the number of city personnel steadily increased from 26,659 employees in year 2004 to 28,788 employees in year 2007 -- an increase of 2,000 city employees while San Francisco’s population continues to decline as the middle class flee for the less hostile urban areas. The Controllers Department “Survey of Citywide Services for Year 2007” shows an overall grade of C+ for all services –- not a very good showing for the extra Billions of Dollars in increased annual spending.

Meanwhile, San Franciscans have to brace themselves to pay for new and increased fees and taxes after the mayor announced a $229 Million deficit for the fiscal year 2008. Some of the increases are listed below:

Department of Public Health, patient rates and other services including In-Patient care i.e. Intensive care, trauma, coronary, chest-pulmonary, pediatrics, medical surgical

Fire Department services and permits and inspections for new fire alarm systems, new sprinkler systems, new gaseous suppression systems, etc.

Recreation and Park, wedding fees, fees for golf courses, softball field fees, football field fees, lacrosse field fees, etc
Parking Garage Fees

Medical Examiner death fee, cremation fees, storage of remains fees, etc.

The Municipal Transportation Authority is also looking at another round of parking ticket and parking meter increases to raise an additional $26 Million to shore up Muni’s performance? In year 2007, the Municipal Transportation Authority collected $90 Million for parking ticket citations and $30.5 Million for parking meters. There are now 120 types of parking ticket citations, ranging from $50 for removing chalk from vehicle wheels for the first time to $250 for stopping at a bus zone.

While the whole country seems to feel the angst of a recession, the same cannot be said of the golden dome, San Francisco’s city hall. After all, city hall politicians know there are more monies where they came from. So what if the poor San Franciscans have to pay their last dime for the latest regressive taxing scheme, the so called “fight child obesity” taxes on sodas?