Janesville manager would take pay cut
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Eric Levitt
JANESVILLE — City Manager Eric Levitt would pay 5.8 percent of his salary toward his retirement if changes in state law require other public employees to make a similar contribution, according to a change made to his contract Monday.
Levitt had asked the council to open his contract so he would pay the same percentage into his pension as others if Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill becomes law.
"I just thought it was only fair," Levitt said Tuesday. "A lot of people are going to feel the effects harder."
City employees covered by a union would not be affected by Walker's legislation because all four of the city's unions have signed two-year agreements. Firefighters and police officers are not covered by Walker's legislation.
The council met in closed session after Monday's regular meeting and approved the change to Levitt's contract.
The city now pays both the employer and employee shares of Levitt's retirement payments. Levitt figures the contract modification would cost him about $8,000 if the state law changes.
After the change, Levitt's contract reads that if state law changes, the city's contribution to Levitt's retirement would equal the percentage it pays for other employees, in this case 5.8 percent.
Levitt is the only non-union city employee who has a contract.
Levitt's regular performance review will be in June or July.
Janesville schools Superintendent Karen Schulte and the school board reopened the superintendent's contract Feb. 22 to make a similar change.
Schulte would pay more for her pension and health insurance if Walker's bill becomes law.
Walker's budget repair bill would require state workers to pay half of their pension contributions and 12.6 percent of their health insurance premiums.
Schulte would begin paying for those amounts if state law changes.
"If it does come down (from the state), she wants to make sure that it starts at the top and that she pays that," school board President Bill Sodemann said at the time.
Mar 4, 2011 at 4:24 p.m.
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tcb- $122K IS RICH compared to the underemployed, unemployed and equilvant to what a Doctor can make.
Mar 4, 2011 at 3:54 p.m.
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Levitt has a GREAT deal-even if he pays 5.8% of his lifelong retirement. He recognizes his compensation agreement is better than many public servants. I applaud his willingness to be proactive here.
However, those who think he is rich are crazy.
Whether his decisions are best for Janesville-that is up for debate. His job is a thankless job but 122 is really not a lot of money considering his responsibilities. I believe his predecessor earned about 20k more per year...
Mar 4, 2011 at 3:30 p.m.
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We voters placed people in office to control city, county and state budgets. These public employees signed on to do their duties to the best of their abilities. I sincerely think they are functioning as they think they should. We, the public make assessments about employees and office candidates and their abilities. If you don't like what's happening in our cities, county and state get off your duff and educate yourself on the issues and get out to vote. More people turn out to vote in third world countries. You can't make a difference by passively sitting home in front of the TV and not participating.
Mar 4, 2011 at 1:55 p.m.
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How much do ALL the Wi. and Janesville school administrators make? How about ALL the UW and smaller college Chancellors,Professors,How about ALL Police Chief,ALL Fire Chiefs?
Mar 4, 2011 at 1:01 p.m.
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So why didn't you pass up the one or is it two raises so far to begin with? We have been in difficult times since he started. It is not "new news".
How will her ever live on only $115k a year???
Oh I see it goes into HIS OWN retirement. So it isn't a loss at all. So he will have to pay the 6% like most of us do with our 401 k with an employer match. Gee doesn't employeer match mean employee pays their own part??!!
"The city now pays both the employer and employee shares"
Don't be fooled "the city" means US the taxpayers incase nobody knew this.
Mar 4, 2011 at 9:48 a.m.
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Gee, poor Eric. He's willing to take a 5.8% pay cut to only slightly over $120K. How is he EVER going to survive? Try telling that to people on welfare or disability.
Mar 3, 2011 at 2:07 p.m.
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I remember when Levitt was hired. The city council announced his salary and stated that is the going rate for an experienced city manager.
Mar 3, 2011 at 1:38 p.m.
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sorry but the city manager needs a permanent cut and we need to ELECT A MAYOR...
Mar 3, 2011 at 12:30 p.m.
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The city counsel hires and is his boss. The city council is elected , so the people do decide who is city manager (by electing them to represent us)
Mar 3, 2011 at 2:24 a.m.
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i also would like to say this, if the people that are in the position to make and pass these laws aren't taken a DIRECT pay cut. then this is wrong. they should take the biggest cut of all. so that means WALKER, LEVITT etc.
but you know, politicians are the ones that no matter what we say or do, will make more money in the long run. and us as regular people (no matter what you do) will have to pay for it, as usual !!!!!!
Mar 3, 2011 at 2:09 a.m.
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so did i read that right. eric is going to have to pay 5.8% to his retirement. then later on it says that the city contribution would be 5.8%.
so if i read this correct. he will not have to pay for his own retirement, no matter what happens. right?
Mar 2, 2011 at 9:21 p.m.
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Both the City Manager and School Super are showing great leadership by making these offers. It's to bad the school board didn't follow their lead an hold off on negotiating the last contract.
And Joel_Rogers: At least if you are going to submit a bunch of bull about the City Manager, you could at least spell his name correctly.
Mar 2, 2011 at 7:09 p.m.
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Mr. Rodgers, Where do you get your information from? I would really like to see this. Thank you for educating me more on the city manager! I knew he overspent and put money to things that weren't priority, but I had no idea of how much!
Mar 2, 2011 at 6:41 p.m.
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I'm starting to think Joel might not care much for Eric Levitts . . .
Mar 2, 2011 at 6:31 p.m.
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A quote from the movie officespace "what is it ya do here?" Eric is not like I see you trying to revitalize the city you should take more than a pay cut
Mar 2, 2011 at 6:18 p.m.
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Joel_Rodgers - Below is a link to all the City Council Member's telephone, address, and email information if you have something you'd like to say to them.
http://www.ci.janesville.wi.us/citysite/...
Mar 2, 2011 at 6:13 p.m.
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For the kind of money Mr. Levitt has already cost the taxpayers of Janesville, maybe he should consider giving some of his already paid salary back to the taxpayers?
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