YORBA LINDA : Council Rejects Plan for 9% Salary Cut

A proposal to reduce City Council salaries by 9% was rejected 4 to 1 this week by the council.

The reduction was proposed by Councilman Mark Schwing as a symbolic gesture, prompted by a cut in state funds to the city General Fund.

“Sacramento has deleted about 9% of the General Fund budget. I feel strongly that before we consider a reduction in services or an increase in user fees, this council should take a symbolic 9% cut,” Schwing said.

Currently, each council member makes $400 a month. The amount is scheduled to go up to $500 in January. Schwing asked that it be cut $45 on Jan. 1. Council members are also reimbursed for travel and other expenses.

But Councilman Gene Wisner said the city would not be forced to make any similar cuts in services or increase fees, in part because of the efforts of the council.

“We aren’t in any (financial) trouble, and to penalize the council (for the General Fund reduction) is unthinkable,” Wisner said.

Schwing has long been a proponent of council members’ serving without salary and has challenged his colleagues to return their salaries to the city. For the past four years he has donated his council salary to DARE, an anti-drug education program.

But after his reduction proposal was rejected, Schwing , who was reelected to the council, indicated that he may abandon the practice if he continues to be the only council member to do so.