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Gimenez got union concessions to deliver on promise to reverse raises

Amy Sherman
By Amy Sherman June 29, 2012

When the Carlos Alvarez administration laid the groundwork for $132 million in raises as taxpayers were suffering in a weak economy, that set the stage for the historic 2011 recall of the mayor. Carlos Gimenez, who won Alvarez's seat in June 2011, promised to reverse those raises.

"We must take back the raises that Carlos Alvarez gave," he said shortly before he was elected in June 2011. "With more than 70 percent of the county's operating budget comprised of salaries and benefits, this budget can't be balanced otherwise.” 

In 2011, we gave Gimenez an In the Works after he slashed his own pay and benefits in half, took steps to reduce police salaries and non-union salaries.

Since then, the county has completed negotiations with all 10 unions. In total, the county received about $239 million in employee concessions for one year -- $135 million from general fund and $104 million from fire, library and proprietary funds.

Gimenez quickly reversed those Alvarez raises. We rate this Promise Kept.

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