A closer look at pensions and bankruptcy

Chico Police Chief Matt Madden was appointed interim City Manager of Chico, a position he held for several weeks. Ex-Chico Police Chief Michael O’Brien was appointed to the Chico City Council. Oroville Police Chief Bill LaGrone was appointed the City Manager of Oroville. What happened to the days of electing city councilors and having open competitive hiring exams for city managers? Why the sudden change of appointing law enforcement chiefs to run our government?

Chico spends a whopping 49% of its budget on the police department. Other city’s police budgets like San Jose 10%, Sacramento 13% and Los Angeles 26% are modest compared to Chico. What kind of influence will these ex-police chiefs have which control the budget purse strings?

Jaime Cannon, Chico’s Human Resource Director, has stated that over 70% of Chico’s general fund is dedicated to public safety. Top employees of the Chico Police Department from chief to sergeants are among the highest earning individuals in the city — making over $200,000 annually with benefits. No wonder Chico’s roadways and infrastructure are crumbling with a paltry Public Works budget of 7%.

Chico Police Sergeant Peter Durfee (ex-president of the Chico Police Officers Association, a PAC) is running for Butte County Supervisor. Chico has a $146 million unfunded accrued liability due to police union pensions, police can retire at age 50 with 90% of their salaries. Durfee’s campaign war chest of outside county money comes from law enforcement PACs. Hold on to your wallets taxpayers because raises, benefits, and pensions will be increasing if Durfee is elected. — Dave Garcia, Chico