Political Update – April 15, 2014
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Unsustainable salaries become unsustainable: Reno editionThirty-five Reno firefighters and their families, as well as all city residents, are about to experience the pain that is the inevitable result of unsustainable salary and benefit increases. Today, the Reno Gazette-Journal reports that the City of Reno is preparing to lay off 35 firefighters and begin part-time closures of three fire stations because it did not receive a federal grant that would have covered its burgeoning costs. In response, City Manager Andrew Clinger said, “We knew this was a possibility, and we’ve been working on a restructuring plan for some time to ensure the continued safety of our citizens.” Unfortunately, Nevada’s collective bargaining law makes the most obvious restructuring plan, reducing inflated compensation, difficult to impossible. And firefighter compensation is quite high in Reno. In 2012, the last year for which data is available, 12 of the 286 people employed by the department took home over $200,000 in salary and benefits. Sixty-three made over $150,000, and nearly everyone made over $100,000. All compensation data can be found at TransparentNevada.com, but here’s a snapshot of what some of the department’s brass received in total compensation in 2012: Keystone’s Mission:
To recruit, support and advocate for candidates for public office who support private sector job creation, low taxation, a responsible regulatory environment, and effective delivery of essential state services. Keystone’s Goals:
” 12 of people employed by the [Reno fire] department took home over $200,000 in salary and benefits. 63 made over $150,000, and nearly everyone made over $100,000“ – NPRI
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