FPUD general manager given 5-percent salary increase

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

Fallbrook Public Utility District General Manager Jack Bebee received a five-percent salary increase.

The July 25 FPUD board meeting included a 5-0 vote to raise Bebee’s salary from $230,053 to $241,555. The increase is retroactive to July 1, and FPUD also increased the matching contribution to Bebee’s retirement plan and his vehicle allowance.

Bebee was appointed as FPUD's acting general manager in 2017 and was given an annual salary of $220,147. He became the formal general manager in August 2018 but did not receive a salary increase.

In 2020, the FPUD board approved a $5,000 performance bonus for Bebee during closed-session performance reviews, but Bebee recommended to the board that the $5,000 instead be split among FPUD's employees, who were facing more challenges during the coronavirus outbreak than he was.

The money was split between the other 63 FPUD employees, although the matching contribution for Bebee's 401(a) retirement plan was increased from 2.5-percent to 4.8-percent, and his maximum vacation leave accrual was increased from 248 hours to 270 hours.

In 2021, Bebee’s base salary was increased by 4.5-percent to $230,053, and he was also given a one-time $5,000 performance bonus for meeting his work plan goals.

The contract approved July 25 increases the matching contribution for Bebee's 401(a) retirement plan from 4.8-percent to 7.0-percent. Bebee is not reimbursed for mileage incurred while on FPUD business although he receives a monthly vehicle allowance. His $604.17 vehicle allowance and a $75 monthly cell phone reimbursement payment had not changed since 2017, and the 2022 contract increases Bebee’s monthly vehicle allowance to $750 retroactive to July 1.

Bebee was hired by FPUD in 2009 and originally held the title of engineering and planning manager. FPUD added the operations of the district's wastewater treatment plant to Bebee's responsibilities in 2013 and changed his title to assistant general manager.

His vacation leave is based on his total service with FPUD. He currently accrues 7.69 vacation hours per pay period, and that will increase to 8.00 hours per pay period on Aug. 28.

FPUD also pays Bebee's dues for organizations related to FPUD and for publication subscriptions and conference registration fees necessary or desirable for professional development.