Council approves benefit packages for department directors

By Doug Spoon, Editor

A move to a contract-based employment system for City executive level positions with enhanced benefits was unanimously approved by the Menifee City Council Wednesday night.

The request of council was made by city manager Armando Villa, who said the City needs to offer a more enhanced benefits package to attract top-level executive employees and to keep the ones they have. There were no salary increases in the approved action, but the standard benefits package will now be a part of contracts signed by executives, who will no longer be considered at-will employees.

This applies to two levels of executives: Department directors and deputy directors. Here are the approved benefits for directors, which includes currently includes assistant city manager, police chief, chief information officer, chief financial officer, public works director, community development director, community services director, economic development director, city clerk, and deputy public works Director; as well as the deputy directors, which includes the departments of Finance, Human Resources, Public Works, and Building Official:

1. A deferred compensation contribution.

2. An education incentive.

3. An increase in executive leave hours in the amount of 20 hours for directors and 10 hours for deputy directors.

4. An increase in life insurance from $100,000 to $200,000 for directors and $150,000 for deputy directors.

5. Auto allowance for deputy directors in the amount of $200 monthly.

6. Increased vacation leave accruals.

7. A sick leave conversion upon retirement from the City.

8. Standardized severance pay upon without-cause separation from employment.

According to the staff presentation on this item, “Previously, the City conducted two separate recruitment efforts to fill two key executive vacancies. The lack of prescribed and formalized employment benefits was a concern of many talented prospects who consequently opted not to apply.

“In one instance, after an extensive recruitment process leading to an offer of employment, a successful and very talented candidate requested a benefit package that exceeded the city’s current authority, which upon denial caused him to turn down the city’s offer. This resulted in delays of over five months as recruitment efforts needed to be initiated again this time with the assistance of a national executive recruiter. Consequently, to stay transparently competitive and retain existing executive assets, it has become critical to define and expand the city’s benefit package to its existing and future executive team.”

The five-month delay refers to efforts to replace city engineer and public works director Jonathan Smith, who left the city more than a year ago. There was no explanation of why a new search had to be launched or why it took so long. Eventually, two individuals were hired to fill those positions – Nick Fidler as public works director and Daniel Padilla as deputy public works director.

Mayor Bill Zimmerman and council member Matt Liesemeyer expressed concern that they had not been informed of all eight benefits enhancements prior to the meeting.

“This was introduced to us in closed session, but I don’t recall some of these items,” Zimmerman said to Villa. “I was surprised to see the auto allowance, for instance. Going forward, I would ask that you present this to us with the list.”

While agreeing with Zimmerman, Liesemeyer expressed support of the overall package.

“Thanks for bringing this forward,” Liesemeyer said. “This is the last piece to take care of some of our staff members.”

Several council members cautioned Villa that this action should not be used to promote employees to director or deputy director positions simply to give them enhanced benefits.

“The intent is not to just start handing out deputy director positions, but we do have needs,” Villa said.