You read the headline correct. Phoenix's 15,000 employees on average are getting compensated $17,000 more a year than just 5 years ago.
What kind of raise did you get in this recession? How about your benefit package?
Phoenix has all the money it needs. We have an expense problem. City staff and unionized employees in the past 5 years have increased their compensation over $270 million. That is right! City staff is getting $270 million more than just five years ago.* (Phoenix Budget and Research Department numbers)
Cuts to kids and families. You are taking all the hits. You have seen after school programs drop over 60 percent. Many of these children come from a single family home where the only safe place to go when class lets out is the after school program. Phoenix management found it easier to cut these programs than it was for them to help in this crisis by not taking new and substantial pay raises.
Senior programs, library services and pools for our youth. Well, they weren't spared either.
Now, let's see what is happening with your family. Have you faced drops in your income? Are you finding it harder to put your kids through school? Do you know people living paycheck to paycheck not knowing if there will be a roof overhead next month? Has anyone close to you lost a job?
None of the pain you are suffering has an impact on city hall. You have shouldered the pain and the cuts. Phoenix just raised your water bill up another 7 percent -- over 50 percent in the past few years. The food on your table went up with a new food tax. Try to start a new business in Phoenix after management recommended and the city approved millions of dollars more in fees to start a business. For example, a landscaping plan, which shows where your drip lines and shrubs are going, now can cost a small business $6,000. Then pile on all the others fees just to pay the middleman -- city hall -- making it harder and harder for you to stay afloat.
Phoenix needs to make the easy decision, and that's to think of your needs first.
People are saying that I want change too fast. They are right. That it takes time to change city hall. They are wrong. Does our economy have that kind of time? Do you and your family have the time to wait for the city of Phoenix to get its act together? Is it fair to you to pay for more taxes on food, higher water bills and more just to start a new business? I think not.
We must have change, and we need it now. Phoenix will not change on its own. The culture of managers protecting themselves is too ingrained. Senate Bill 1322 (SB1322) will change the culture at city hall by first changing the structure. It will require Phoenix to be more efficient and competitive. It will allow us the opportunity to increase our service to you and your family.
Only you can stop this madness. Challenge your elected officials to make city management do better. Send this correspondence to all who want change. Write, email, phone and fax your city council -- and state legislators who will be voting on SB1322 -- demanding change.
My best to you and your family,
Sal DiCiccio
Phoenix City Councilman - District 6
council.district.6@phoenix.gov602-262-7491
P.S. I will continue to expose the nonsense at city hall. Wait until you hear about the next outrageous benefit you're paying for.
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