Council Approves Boost in Pension Benefits

Despite objections from a handful of city workers and warnings of worsening deficits, the City Council has voted to boost employees' pension benefits by about 33%.

Oxnard will pay $734,000 a year toward the benefits, and employees will contribute the remaining $2.2 million through payroll deductions. Younger employees have complained that they will end up paying most of the cost.

City officials have said the agreement was made before they knew the extent that the state's budget woes would have on individual cities, but assured residents that Oxnard could afford the new pensions.

Employees should see the deductions reflected in their next paycheck, officials said.