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Sutter County residents make pleas for new Yuba College campus By Ashley Gebb/Appeal-Democrat 2011-05-11 23:12:09 They were not on the agenda Wednesday, but several Sutter County and Yuba City representatives pleaded with Yuba Community College District trustees to build a new campus on their side of the river. During public comment, several people asked that the college district proceed with construction of the $37 million Sutter County project, citing the broken promises, distrust and loss of potential that would result if other Measure J projects proceed instead. Since the Sutter County campus was not on the agenda, trustees didn't take any action. The economic downturn's impact has created problems in securing bonds and money for improvements, so trustees are prioritizing what comes next. "As a major population hub, Sutter County was promised a long-overdue campus for its many students," said Pat Miller, president of the Sutter County Taxpayers Association and a Yuba College graduate. It is understandable for each campus to be lobbying for its own projects, but to not build what taxpayers voted for would have grave and long-standing consequences, she said. Sutter County is one of eight counties in the state that does not have a public institution of higher learning, and it's been a concern for residents for many years, said Supervisor Stan Cleveland. "Sutter County deserves to be treated with respect," he said, noting that its voters helped pass Measure J. Failure to build the new campus would be a violation of voters' trust as they would be paying for unkept promises, he said. Cleveland predicted that if the campus were built, it would soon be "overflowing" with students and that the district would be wanting additional buildings there within two years. If Yuba College does not proceed with the full campus taxpayers voted for, Sutter County will need to seek satellite campuses from Chico State, Sacramento State and U.C. Davis, Cleveland said after the meeting. Measure J was passed by voters in the eight-county district in November 2006 to repair, renovate and add facilities for community college services. The district had 20 years to issue the bonds at legal rates and the bond construction program is financially at its halfway mark, with $95 million issued in the A and B series in 2007 but just $35 million will be issued in Series C instead of the $95 million anticipated. Last week, trustees' differed widely on whether projects at the Woodland, Clear Lake, Linda or future Sutter County campuses were most needed, deserving or merited. Of six scenarios, only one included the Sutter County Center, at $18 million. About $10 million has already been spent on the project. "I know it's hard and times are trying," said resident Sarb Basrai. "But you don't start construction ... and not finish the job." His family sold the orchard property with the intention that it would be transformed into a place of higher learning and a technology center, with Yuba College as its anchor. The Linda campus may need repairs and renovations, but it may be more economically efficient at this point to proceed with a new campus instead. Basrai said this should not be an issue of Sutter County versus Yuba County. "No, this is one community," he said. Yuba City City Manager Steve Jepsen said the city was thrilled when the bond measure passed and when the site was selected. And once the building is complete, additional development is likely to follow, along with many potential partnerships. All that is at risk if construction stalls or never happens, he said. Sutter County Superintendent Bill Cornelius; Bob Mackensen, former Sutter County Taxpayers Association president and a Yuba City resident; and Elaine Miles, also of Yuba City, asked that the project proceed. Many speakers said if the Sutter County campus is not built now, they doubt it will ever happen. Chancellor Nicki Harrington said last week that all the projects will be built, although costs may change. Salary Database: Comments A-D Public Employee Salary Database  The per capita personal income for the Yuba-Sutter Metropolitan Statistical Area for 2007 was $27,561 For Yuba Sutter Economic Development Corporation statistics: http://173.8.75.180/ysedc/pdf/demographics/Economic.pdf (from the Yuba-Sutter Development Corporation report). The average salary for miscellaneous Sutter County employees is $55,000 as of May 17, 2010. Yuba Sutter Economic Development Corporation statistics  Sutter County’s population was 97,263 in July of 2009. Sutter County employs an average of 973 people. That is one employee for every 100 Sutter County citizens. Citizens Report by Sutter County Auditor-Controller Robert Stark (attached)  The average annual salary for the six elected Sutter County department heads is $126,000. The average for the six highest paid management employees is $145,000. All other management employees average $91,800. The average annual salary for miscellaneous employees is $55,000. (Salaries are as of May 17, 2010 ). Citizens Report by Sutter County Auditor-Controller Robert Stark (attached).  The County Administrative Officer makes $178,000 a year (contract signed in May 2010). Sutter County’s budget for 2010-2011 is about $146 million and there are 973 employees. The administrative officer answers to a board of supervisors who have the ultimate responsibility for county operations.  Yuba City City Manager makes $199,280 and answers to a 5-person city council which has ultimate responsibility for managing the city of Yuba City. The city has about 300 employees.  In contrast the Caltrans District 3 director (headquartered in Marysville) makes $114,101 a year. She is in charge of the planning, environmental clearance, design, right of way acquisition and construction of state highway projects in 22 counties. She is also responsible for maintenance of state highways in 11 counties. She directs the work of 1,850 employees. The budget for personnel services is $182.2 million; operating expense budget is $93.8 million, for a total of $276 million. The $276 million does not include capital outlay for highway construction contracts which is in the billions. The district director reports to the statewide Caltrans director.  Also in contrast, J.A. Farrow is Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol. His salary is $187,562. Obviously, his responsibility for managing the statewide California Highway Patrol is greater than managing a city the size of Yuba City or a county the size of Sutter. Top pay for a CHP officer is $79,000. Conclusion It appears that salaries for management employees of local agencies are out of line with the private sector and with state management officials. It also appears that city and county jobs pay more on average than private sector jobs and we know they have richer benefits (retirement formula of 2.7% at age 55 for miscellaneous and 3% at age 50 for safety) than most private sector jobs. How did we get here? I believe that the cities and counties have played a leap frog game with salaries in other cities and counties for many years and have used the comparisons to continually raise salaries and benefits – a “they did it, so we have to raise our salaries to stay competitive” attitude. Employee unions/associations use the comparisons in their salary negotiations with elected supervisors and city council members who need the employees’ support for re-election, making it difficult for the elected officials to hold the line. With over 900 county employees and over 300 city employees, the employees, along with their family members, are a major voting block and a source of campaign funds in a relatively small population area. Also part of the problem is that most of the public has not been paying attention. The few of us who are paying attention and are making our feelings known to the Board of Supervisors and city councils have largely been ignored. How do we correct it? Good question. For starters, freeze salaries. Then base city and county salaries on what the private sector is paying for the comparable work in the same area, not what other cities and counties are paying. How can we require that cities and counties do this? Possibly through becoming a charter county/city with that requirement placed in the charter, along with a requirement that changes in employee benefits (pensions) be voted on by the citizens. More citizens need to become involved in what is happening in their local government (state and federal too). The Sutter County Taxpayers Association wishes to thank the Appeal-Democrat for creating the public employee salary database. We are hopeful that, with some publicity regarding the database, more citizens will become involved in their local government.