Drago denounces $40k bonus for Seattle city employee
SEATTLE -- A $40,000 bonus for a city employee? Outrageous, according to Seattle City Council member and mayoral candidate Jan Drago.
Drago on Tuesday denounced the hefty bonus City Light Superintendent Jorge Carrasco received.
"This is no time to be awarding bonuses to city employees who are already highly paid. $40,000 is more than many families earn in an entire year," Drago said in a statement.
Alex Fryer, a spokesman for Mayor Greg Nickels, said Carrasco was awarded the bonus last month based on two stipulations -- his performance benchmarks and his four-year commitment to the city.
Carrasco successfully strengthened the financial condition of Seattle City Light by improving the debt-to-equity ratio, Fryer said, and managed to negotiate five union contracts without incident.
The merits, along with his four-year stay at Seattle City Light, made Carrasco eligible for the 10-percent incentive based on his 2004 contract, Fryer said.
The spokesman added such incentives are essential to "attract the right talent and keep the right talent" in the city.
"I understand there is a need to pay competitive salaries for highly valued executives, but the city must show restraint during tough economic times like these." Drago said.
Drago on Tuesday denounced the hefty bonus City Light Superintendent Jorge Carrasco received.
"This is no time to be awarding bonuses to city employees who are already highly paid. $40,000 is more than many families earn in an entire year," Drago said in a statement.
Alex Fryer, a spokesman for Mayor Greg Nickels, said Carrasco was awarded the bonus last month based on two stipulations -- his performance benchmarks and his four-year commitment to the city.
Carrasco successfully strengthened the financial condition of Seattle City Light by improving the debt-to-equity ratio, Fryer said, and managed to negotiate five union contracts without incident.
The merits, along with his four-year stay at Seattle City Light, made Carrasco eligible for the 10-percent incentive based on his 2004 contract, Fryer said.
The spokesman added such incentives are essential to "attract the right talent and keep the right talent" in the city.
"I understand there is a need to pay competitive salaries for highly valued executives, but the city must show restraint during tough economic times like these." Drago said.