Caton relinquishes fringe benefits

DOWNEY - Downey city manager Gerald Caton asked the City Council to take away his fringe benefits Tuesday as he prepares for retirement next December.By eliminating the benefits - including retirement contributions, 20 vacation days, 11 holidays, nine days of executive leave, a city-owned vehicle and membership fees for civic organizations - Caton said the city will save more than $100,000 next year. Under the agreement ratified by the City Council, Caton will be paid an hourly rate of $121 and work a maximum 1,920 hours in 2011, or about $232,000. At that rate, the city would realize about $5,800 in salary savings. The bulk of the city's savings will come from it no longer paying Caton's portion of CalPERS, the state's pension system. Downey would have paid nearly $49,000 next year. Other savings will come from the elimination of a car allowance ($16,050), civic organization membership fees ($600), and holiday, executive and vacation leave (about $26,000). "A great deal has already been accomplished...but the coming year will also be critical as we face the ongoing economic challenges and transition to a largely new management team," Caton said in an agenda memo to the council. Caton, who has served as Downey's city manager for 21 years, is scheduled to retire Dec. 30, 2011.

********** Published: December 16, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 35