TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution for paying and reporting the value of the Employer Paid Member Contributions (EPMC) to the California Public Employees' Retirement System for the City Auditor, City Attorney, City Prosecutor and City Clerk. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Section 16 of the City's Salary Resolution provides elected officials an annual adjustment in accordance with Section 203 of the City Charter, which provides that the salary of the Mayor and Councilmembers must be adjusted annually by the cost of living. The City Charter states the salary shall be automatically adjusted on July 1 of each year equivalent to the most recent upward change in the annual average of the Consumer Price Index. In an attempt to help the City of Long Beach with Pension Reform, the City Auditor, City Attorney, City Prosecutor and City Clerk have elected to contribute their annual adjustment of 2.2 percent towards their member contribution. The City Auditor, City Attorney, City Prosecutor and City Clerk previously elected to contribute their 2011 annual adjustment and, with the 2012 contribution, their employee pick-up will increase from 3.8 percent to 6.0 percent. This action will decrease the amount the City would pay and report as the Employer Paid Member Contribution (EPMC) for these employees. This change in their employee contribution will go into effect August 7, 2012.
In order for the City to make changes to the EPMC, it is necessary for the City Council to adopt the attached Resolution as prepared by the City Attorney.
This matter was reviewed by Senior Deputy City Attorney Christina Checel on July 23, 2012 and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on July 24, 2012.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on August 7, 2012, to adopt the attached Resolution to ensure it is received by CalPERS for processing, in order to meet the effective date of this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
In FY 13, the cost of the July 2.2 percent salary adjustment for the City Auditor, City Attorney, City Prosecutor and City Clerk is approximately $17,000. The City will save approximately 2.6 percent of salary, or about $20,000, as a result of these employees paying an increased contribution for their pension. Thus, there is a net annual savings to the City of approximately $3,000.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH IMPLEMENTING GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 20636(c)(4) PURSUANT TO SECTION 20691 BY PAYING AND REPORTING THE VALUE OF EMPLOYER PAID MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THE CITY CLERK TO THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM (CalPERS)
Respectfully Submitted,
DEBORAH MILLS
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER