Real World Ethics in Local Government Management

“Bell”

Dave MoraICMA West Coast Regional Director

California Contract CitiesAssociation

October 30, 2010

City of BellJuly 15, 2010 – Los Angeles Times

-- Bell City Administrator is paid $787,637 per year.-- Bell Police Chief is paid

$457,000 per year. -- Bell Assistant City Manager is

paid $376,288 per year.

City of BellJuly / August / September / OctoberLos Angeles Times:

-- Council members salary revelations-- Total Compensation -- $1.5 million for the City Administrator

-- Police Chief disability retirement-- Supplemental Retirement Program

City of BellReactions – Bell the exception:

– LCC CM Department Leadership / LCC / Cal-ICMA – series of conference calls to discuss the breaking Bell stories

– Local area managers group response posted on the LA Times website

– Cal-ICMA Letter to the Editor – LA Times

– ICMA National News Release

City of BellLCC CM Executive Committee Dept

Meeting – regular meeting previously scheduled -- July 29 – 30

Bell revelations the focus of the agenda – media presence:-- development of overall strategy-- immediate and longer term

City of BellShort Term Responses:

– Coordinate LCC CM Department, Cal-ICMA, CCMF, and LCC responses

– Express support / cooperation to state and local agencies in their efforts

o Letters to Attorney General, Los Angeles County District Attorney, State Controller

o Review / Comment on State Legislative Proposals

City of BellShort Term Responses:

– Establish Compensation Task Force– Media

o LA Times Letter to the Editoro ICMA National News Releaseo CCMF News Releases

– Salary Survey– Develop Compensation Guidelines– Consider “Red Team” response

City of BellLonger Term Responses:

– Cooperative Efforts among LCC CM Department, Cal-ICMA, and CCMF

– Continue LCC sponsored Compensation Task Force efforts

– Develop / Present Compensation Guidelines / Policies for Consideration by local government professional managers

City of Bell

Longer Term Responses:– Value of Professional Management –

CCMF and ICMA efforts for general distribution / information

– Aid in the development of State legislation

City of BellLonger Term Responses:

– Ethics and Values – ICMA, Cal-ICMA, CCMF initiatives

– Manager support – ICMA, Cal-ICMA, CCMF initiatives

– Future of the profession – focus on values / ethics with the next generation of local government managers – work with MMASC / MMANC

Contact Information:

Dave Mora

ICMA West Coast Regional Director

dmora@icma.org

831-737-8133

http://icma.org