Bell City Leaders Agree to Cut Their Salaries
Three Bell officials resigned Thursday after an hours-long, closed meeting of the City Council.
Watch Chris Wolfe's Report
A protester holds a "Stop the Fraud!" sign while angry residents call for the resignations of even more Bell city officials. (KTLA-TV / July 26, 2010)
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BELL, Calif. -- Bell City Council members said Monday they will drastically reduce their pay at a council meeting later in the day.
All four officials make about $100,000, a finding that has prompted backlash from the community and an investigation by the California attorney general.
Bell's city manager, police chief and assistant city manager all resigned at last week's City Council meeting, days after it was revealed they were making salaries totaling $1.6 million a year.
Earlier in the day, California's attorney general said he had subpoenaed hundreds of records from the city.
Attorney General Jerry Brown demanded to see employment contracts from the city within two days to determine whether to file charges.
"The real question is what were they thinking?" Brown said at a news conference. "What was the atmosphere in Bell that would allow this and make it plausible at least to the members of the City Council."
The Los Angeles County district attorney's office has launched its own investigation into the salaries.
The Bell Association to Stop the Abuse had threatened to recall the council members if they didn't resign or lower their own salaries.
The salaries exploded into public view after a Los Angeles Times investigation, based on California Public Records Act requests, showed the city payroll was bloated with six-figure salaries:
- Chief Administrative Officer Robert Rizzo made $787,637 a year, getting a series of raises since being hired in 1993 at $72,000. President Barack Obama makes $400,000.
- Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia made $376,288 a year.
- Police Chief Randy Adams earned $457,000 - $150,000 more than Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck.
All four officials make about $100,000, a finding that has prompted backlash from the community and an investigation by the California attorney general.
Bell's city manager, police chief and assistant city manager all resigned at last week's City Council meeting, days after it was revealed they were making salaries totaling $1.6 million a year.
Earlier in the day, California's attorney general said he had subpoenaed hundreds of records from the city.
Attorney General Jerry Brown demanded to see employment contracts from the city within two days to determine whether to file charges.
"The real question is what were they thinking?" Brown said at a news conference. "What was the atmosphere in Bell that would allow this and make it plausible at least to the members of the City Council."
The Los Angeles County district attorney's office has launched its own investigation into the salaries.
The Bell Association to Stop the Abuse had threatened to recall the council members if they didn't resign or lower their own salaries.
The salaries exploded into public view after a Los Angeles Times investigation, based on California Public Records Act requests, showed the city payroll was bloated with six-figure salaries:
- Chief Administrative Officer Robert Rizzo made $787,637 a year, getting a series of raises since being hired in 1993 at $72,000. President Barack Obama makes $400,000.
- Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia made $376,288 a year.
- Police Chief Randy Adams earned $457,000 - $150,000 more than Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck.
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Hundreds of residents turned out Monday at the Bell Community Center as City Council members were set to decide whether to roll back their near-$100,000 salaries -- a point of controversy in the small, working-class city.
Council members are considering reducing their pay 90%.
As the council convened, people chanted, “Out, Out, Out.” They booed during roll call. And during the Pledge of Allegiance, those inside the center yelled out “and justice for all” at the end of the pledge.
Outside, dozens of people stood around speakers so they could hear the proceedings. Others carried posters that said “No Pension for the Thieves” and “Council Resign.”
"We may not get our money back, but we're here to stop them and kicked them out," said resident Ignacio Marquez, who brought his 14-year-old daughter, Sonia, to the meeting.
-- Ruben Vives in Bell
L.A. NOW
Southern California -- this just in
Bell council will cut pay 90%, sources say
July 26, 2010 | 7:02 pm
Hundreds of residents turned out Monday at the Bell Community Center as City Council members were set to decide whether to roll back their near-$100,000 salaries -- a point of controversy in the small, working-class city.
Council members are considering reducing their pay 90%.
As the council convened, people chanted, “Out, Out, Out.” They booed during roll call. And during the Pledge of Allegiance, those inside the center yelled out “and justice for all” at the end of the pledge.
Outside, dozens of people stood around speakers so they could hear the proceedings. Others carried posters that said “No Pension for the Thieves” and “Council Resign.”
"We may not get our money back, but we're here to stop them and kicked them out," said resident Ignacio Marquez, who brought his 14-year-old daughter, Sonia, to the meeting.
-- Ruben Vives in Bell
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