A survey of salary information for eight independent water districts in the Sacramento area has revealed a 14 percent pay increase for general managers over the past five years. The pay hikes came even as customers were seeing their rates increase and revenues were plummeting due to the state’s drought, bringing the average base salary to $168,000.
The Sacramento Bee looked at districts that provide only water and are not part of larger government entities. The highest pay boost was at the Carmichael Water District, which raised its general manager’s pay by 18 percent in March. Once again, that decision came on the heels of a ratepayer hike, meant to boost anemic revenues.
At least six of the eight districts surveyed have approved rate hikes in the past five years, according to the Bee. From January to September of 2015, agencies in the Sacramento Regional Water Authority also suffered a $25 million drop in revenue, equivalent to 12 percent. That such losses were followed up by generous pay increases for managers is “adding insult to injury,” said Jon Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. But officials at the districts have argued that the hikes are necessary to remain competitive with others in the region.
Read the Sacramento Bee’s report here.