Supervisors OK pay increases for four elected positions

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The San Diego County Board of Supervisors today approved raises for several elected officials, including Sheriff Bill Gore.

Also receiving pay hikes will be Ernest Dronenburg, the assessor/recorder/county clerk; District Attorney Summer Stephan; and Dan McAllister, treasurer/tax-collector.

According to the board agenda, the raises will cost $20,131 for the first year, $13,122 for fiscal year 2020-21, $13,384 for fiscal year 2021-22 and $32,556 for fiscal year 2022-23, to be divided among the four officials.

Supervisor Nathan Fletcher was the lone dissenter, saying the board has "a lot of pressing priorities," and raises for elected officials aren't one of them.

Several county workers, along with a union representative, asked for the board for a comprehensive study of all employee classifications, not just elected officials.

David Garcias, president of the local Service Employees International Union chapter, said county workers make sure that residents receive vital services and competitive pay is crucial.

"We're sixth out of sixth in pay out of the (Southern California) counties," Garcias said. "The board has repeatedly forgotten those workers.

Retain the best and the brightest – that should be your motto."

Garcias maintained that the board should table any raise requests until the study is done.

Supervisor Greg Cox said the raises represented a modest increase for the elected officials. He noted that those getting raises received no salary increase in 2015 or 2017, while rank-and-file employees have received a 3% increase in their pay on a yearly basis.