Oakland Mayor Quan Takes 25 Percent Pay Cut
OAKLAND (BCN) -- Oakland Mayor Jean Quan said Wednesday that she is taking a 25 percent pay cut because she wants to lead the way as the city works through a difficult budget situation.
"I signed papers on Day 1 after I took office because I knew we would be going through tough times," Quan said.
Quan, who took office on Jan. 3 after serving on the City Council for eight years, noted that most city workers took a 10 percent cut two years ago, and most council members took a 10 percent cut last year.
The mayor said that if the city's fiscal situation improves, she might seek to be paid the full $187,397 salary to which she's entitled.
"I don't see having a raise any time soon and perhaps for another three or four years," she said.
With the 25 percent pay cut, Quan's salary will be about $137,000 annually. She also receives a $9,000 car allowance, bringing her total compensation to $146,000 per year.
Quan's pay reduction is in sharp contrast to her predecessor as mayor, Ron Dellums.
Shortly after he was inaugurated in January 2007, Dellums got a 60 percent pay raise, from $115,372 to $183,397.
Dellums' pay raise was so dramatic in part because the mayor's salary hadn't been increased since 2001. Gov. Jerry Brown, who preceded Dellums as mayor, had declined annual cost-of-living increases.
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