Sharing the burden?
Hayward's executive team is taking a pay cut to stem a $30m shortfall, and wants its labor partners to do the same; EBMUD may decide board director's fate; County prepares for federal cuts to SNAP
☕️MORNING BUZZ
—Hayward leaders say they’re doing their part to address the city’s $30 million budget shortfall by taking a temporary four percent pay cut.
According to a staff report ahead of Tuesday night’s council meeting, the city has also asked all employee bargaining groups to accept a 3.5 percent reduction in annual salary costs.
“Cost savings contributed by bargaining groups are critical to the city’s fiscal health, as employee salaries and benefits make up the majority of the General Fund budget,” the report stated.
Since identifying the deficit in August, city officials have urged labor unions to make concessions.
Beginning Nov. 3, Hayward’s executive team — including the city clerk and city attorney — will see about five hours of pay deducted each pay period through the end of the fiscal year in June, saving the city an estimated $222,400.
Still, convincing unions such as SEIU Local 1021 and IFPTE Local 21, to accept cuts could prove difficult, especially as the cause of the shortfall remains unclear.
Early indications suggest Hayward’s deficit stems not just from fiscal missteps, but from accounting errors in the current and previous budgets.
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—More inside:
COUNTY NEWS: County officials prepare to fill the gap in the event federal funding for food stamps is cut due to the federal shutdown.
EBMUD board to decide colleague’s fate after release of independent investigation.
CITY NEWS: Livermore’s city manager is set to receive a big raise.
A rare occurrence in San Leandro this week. It’s Rent Review Board is actually having a meeting.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE: Tri-Cities hospital parcel tax is nearing $1 million in spending.
