Alarmed by spiraling pension debt, Ventura County could join a growing number of local governments requiring that future increases in retirement benefits for public employees be put on the ballot.
Voters in Orange County and the city of San Diego in recent years have stripped benefit-granting authority from their elected officials, reserving that power for the electorate. San Francisco has required voter approval of pension benefit hikes since its founding charter over a century ago.
The Ventura County Grand Jury recently recommended that voters there be given the same opportunity. Two members of the Board of Supervisors said they are willing to consider the proposal.
Advocates say the idea is increasingly appealing as a way to keep a lid on retirement costs, which have exploded as generous packages have been approved through collective bargaining. Orange County and San Diego have both struggled to pay mounting costs after granting pensions that, in some cases, provide 90% to 100% of pay beginning at age 50.
Ventura County is also seeing higher retirement costs even though it hasn't granted the richest pensions.
Supervisor Peter Foy believes it's time for change.
"It's an opportunity for more accountability to the people who pay the bills," he said.
Ventura County supervisors in recent years have resisted union demands to improve retirements benefits, particularly for sheriff's deputies and firefighters. But the pressure is constant, and Foy said a voter mandate could check the ability of future boards to grant more costly retirements.
"People over the years have been irresponsible about this stuff," said Foy, who plans to bring the issue before the supervisors in the next few weeks.
Board Chairman Steve Bennett said he's willing to look at the proposal: "Philosophically, I'm attracted to it. But I want to make sure there aren't unintended consequences."
A majority of the five-member board would have to agree to place such a plan on the ballot. Foy thinks a measure could be vetted in time for the June 2010 election.
Grand Jury foreman Ron Zenone said the panel investigated pension costs because they account for a large portion of the county's general fund. Pension costs grew 327% over the last decade and are projected to increase 20% to 25% a year for several years.
