PTSC, rings a Bell ?

The taxpayers of Bell, California, a 2.5-square-mile city just outside Los Angeles forced the resignations last week of three public officials who made too much money.

The taxpayers were responding to a Los Angeles Times article of July 15 that asked the question, “Is a City Manager Worth $800,000?” I think we all know the answer.

The story reported that the city’s chief administrative officer was on a salary of $787,637, his assistant $376,288, the police chief $457,000. These paydays struck the Bell citizenry, and many other Californians, as a bit bloated.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-28/salary-of-800-000-sparks-western-taxpayer-mutiny-commentary-by-joe-mysak.html

PTSC solution?

NPR reports that in the city of Bell, California three city administrators agreed to resign after residents expressed outrage over their salaries. City Administrative Officer Robert Rizzo earns $787,637 a year, which twice the salary of the President of the United States.

The former administrators will not receive severance packages but they will collect pension benefits.

Mr. Rizzo will collect $650,000 a year making him the highest-paid beneficiary in the state’s pension system.

http://neighborhoodeffects.mercatus.org/2010/07/23/how-bell-californias-city-council-got-their-pay-raises/