San Ramon City Council tops area for pay, benefits

It pays to be an elected official in San Ramon.

Mayor Bill Clarkson earned nearly $18,000 during his first year in office, plus close to $16,000 in health, dental and vision benefits, a total of $33,404.

His salary may be more than that of the rest of City Council — $17,691 versus $15,754 — but that’s less than the benefits received by others.

Scott Perkins tops the list when health, dental and vision benefits are factored in, the council member earns $40,321.58.

Next on the list is Vice Mayor Dave Hudson, who brings in $36,076, including $20,322 in health dental and vision.

City Councilman Jim Livingstone receives $23,699, including 7,945 in health, vision and dental.

Councilman Phil O’Loane opted out of health benefits and receives only the $15,754 that every member of City Council earns.

The mayor and members of San Ramon’s City Council also get a pension.

“They’re in the same pension system as the rest of the employees,” said City Manager Greg Rogers. “It’s based on their stipend.”

Rogers said if a councilman serves more than five years, he would get 27 percent of his pay multiplied by the length of time served.

For example, he said, if a councilman who serves 10 years with a stipend of $800 a month, he or she would get 27 percent of $800 multiplied by 10 years. That comes to $2,160 a month or $25,920 a year.

A 2011 grand jury report said that San Ramon should reevaluate the compensation it pays city council members.

Neither Danville nor Pleasanton offers pensions for council members.

In Danville, Town Council members get $675 per month — or $8,100 annually — and are eligible to be reimbursed up to $250 per month for medical expenses.

The money for medical expenses is held in reserve for Town Council members, according to the town’s Public Information Officer Geoff Gillette. He said any money not spent goes back to the town.

In Pleasanton, Mayor Jerry Thorne receives $1,050 monthly, which totals $12,600 a year, while members of City Council get $950 a month or $11,400 a year.

Pleasanton City Council members, including Thorne, also receive a $1,606-per-month health package, a total of $19,279 per year.

“The city pays up to the lowest cost HMO plan,” for Council members and the mayor, said Julie Yuan-Miu, assistant Pleasanton city manager.

That brings Thorne’s annual compensation to $31,879 while the remaining council members each get $30,679.

Pleasanton eliminated its pension plan years for City Council members ago, while Danville has never had one.

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