Pension rules giving self-serving “public servants” like former Bell city manager Robert Rizzo and former Bell police chief Randy Adams generous six-figure annual payouts have not, until now, received the condemnation they deserve. The Bell scandal was at the top of the agenda at last week’s fortuitously timed annual meeting of California city managers (heavily attended by members of the press).
Why elected representatives thought it was a good idea to provide such generous pension arrangements, paid for by taxpayers, when the taxpayers themselves typically can’t receive them, still hasn’t been answered.
Meanwhile, Glendale might be on the hook for a portion of former Police Chief Randy Adams’ generous pension payout if it is calculated on the basis of the salary he received from Bell.
California city manager’s pension could top $30 million, Reuters, July 21, 2010
California’s Latest Pay Plunder: Outrage over lavish salaries and pensions in Bell, California, could fire up reform in public compensation laws and practices, Governing, July 26, 2010 – contains a suggested list of reforms and a contemptuous rebuttal to Rizzo’s claim that his salary was comparable to that of a private CEO.
Glendale seeking to block Adams’ pension benefits: City will be on the hook for $500,000 to $600,000, according to CalPERS, Glendale News-Press, July 28, 2010
City Managers Discuss Reforms in Wake of City of Bell Scandal, California League of Cities, July 30, 2010
Other cities stuck with the tab for Bell officials’ massive pensions, Los Angeles Times, August 1, 2010