I am not going to talk about their pay (w-2 compensation), but I want to talk about the
entire package. Not the retirement either. but just the benefits that they elect to participate in; for example, health and dental insurance.
Let me give you an example:
- One Councilor who does not take any benefits but just their pay. Their out-of-pocket dollars to the tax-payers is 29,000
- Another Councilor elects the health and dental family plan. This has to cost the City of Worcester $10,000. If you add this to their W-2 compensation then their cost to the tax-payers is closer to $40,000.
In other words the 2nd councilor in this example costs the tax-payers 33% more then the first one??? The same would apply to the School Committee. The Council should make it so that your total compensation should be reduced by the cost of any benefits to the City of Worcester that you elect. Please note I have no idea who takes what benefits.
At the very least, I have no idea who a Councilor who does participate in the benefits is able to vote on any of these issues when they come in front of Council. They should recuse themselves. In the end I do not that City Councilors or School Committee members should be eligible for electable benefits like health and dental insurance.
