An interesting way to share the pain in Philly. Current mayor’s top staff makes a lot more than previous mayor’s people.
We all know the cut backs at the Philadelphia Fire Department. Mayor Michael Nutter promised his top staff would share the pain, announcing furloughs and pay reductions.
There is an interesting story at Philly.com this morning by Catherine Lucey of the Daily News. It turns out even with the salary adjustments the mayors people make a total of almost $2 million more than former Mayor John Street’s top people.
Here are excerpts:
Thirty-five people in the mayor’s and managing director’s offices make six figures, not including the mayor. That’s up from 22 under Street in 2007.
Even after the cuts, Nutter will be paying about $1.8 million more to top staffers than Street did.
“Philadelphia, unfortunately, has had, I think, traditionally lower salaries than other major cities across the country,” Nutter said.
The tab for Nutter’s top staffers – including his chief of staff, managing director, deputy mayors and senior advisers – comes to about $4.7 million. That will be reduced by about $240,000 through salary reductions and furlough days next year, according to Finance Director Rob Dubow.
The total bill for Street in May 2007 for six-figure staffers in the mayor’s and managing director’s offices was about $2.7 million, according to personnel records.
“You have to invest in people and talent to get done the kinds of things that we want to get done,” Nutter said. “Not only do we have many talented folks in the government, but they’re also getting a lot done. They will 10 times over pay for themselves in the kinds of results that they’ll get.”
