Controller Releases More Local Government Payroll Figures

State Controller John Chiang today updated his website showing the salary, pension benefits and other employee compensation for several hundred Cemetery, Electric, Financing and Construction, Facilities, Flood Control and Water Conservation, Recreation and Park, and Community Service Districts.

Last October, the Controller collected and posted wage information for more than 600,000 city and county employees. He then ordered special districts across the State to report the same information, and the first 1,285 districts were loaded between February and March of this year.

Compensation information for employees of special districts is being collected and posted on the website in four phases. The third phase – launched today – includes almost $357 million in payroll reported by 533 local agencies. The fourth and final phase will include any remaining special districts, such as Library, Mosquito Abatement, Conservation, Air Quality and Airport agencies.

The Local Government Compensation Reporting website covers elected officials as well as public employees. It includes the following information for each position:
• Minimum and maximum salary ranges;
• Actual wages paid;
• The applicable retirement formula;
• Any contributions by the employer to the employee’s share of pension costs;
• Any contributions by the employer to the employee’s deferred compensation plan; and
• Any employer payments for the employee’s health, vision and dental premium benefits.
In addition, the website shows employees who hold multiple positions within a single local government. Postings are updated weekly with any new information received.

84 percent of all special districts in the third phase followed the new reporting requirements. A list of agencies that failed to file in time for today’s launch can also be found on this website. Each non-complying agency could face a penalty of $5,000. The Controller anticipates completing the website with all special district information, along with compensation for state employees, in June of 2011.