Stuck deep in the Legislature’s budget this year is an 8.5 percent salary increase for judges statewide effective Jan. 1, 2007.
That has consequences far beyond just the guys in robes. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors enacted an ordinance long ago that ties its members’ salaries to 80 percent of what state superior court judges make.
Do the math with me so you can double check: If judges statewide make $150,696, right now that means the supervisors earn $120,556 (they got a 1 percent raise just a few months ago).
If judges are getting a raise of 8.5 percent in January, that will make their salaries go up to $163,505. That, then, means the supervisors’ salaries will rise to $130,804.
So, let’s see. At the beginning of this year, the supervisors each had salaries of $119,328 with an automobile allowance of $8,208.
Total Compensation:
$127,536
Now, at the beginning of next year, they’re going to have salaries of $130,804 and automobile allowances of $12,000.
Total Compensation:
$142,804Finally, I have to get out my spread sheet and total up what all this does to their pensions.
- Dianne Jacob: Expected pension will go from $61,505.28/year to $68,545.92
- Ron Roberts: Expected pension will go from $61,217/year to 68,546/year
- Pam Slater Price: Expected pension will go from $61,217/year to $68,546/year
- Bill Horn: Expected pension will go from $53,817/year to $59,978/year
- Greg Cox: Expected pension will go from $53,565/year to $59,977/year
This is, of course, assuming that the supervisors finish their current terms and don’t run again … and don’t give themselves more raises.