Sierra College budget policy is incomplete

Sierra College budget policy is incomplete

In his recent report, Sierra College Board Trustee Martin opposes the board's balanced budget policy that requires expenditures and revenues be balanced without on-going use of reserves.

Martin continues to support another bond election and higher property taxes.

A balanced operating budget does not address the infrastructure repair needs of the college.

Since voters have not supported the last two bond elections for the Rocklin campus, it is imperative that the board better use currently available budget resources to address all of the college needs, including:

1. Take back authority from the unions to set salary rates and staffing levels. Last year, for example, the unions approved a salary schedule giving entry level positions such as custodian, cashier and groundskeeper up to approximately $50,000 salary plus 22.5 percent benefits; some administrative assistants $83,000; while giving some faculty only $49,000! These salaries are much higher than comparable private sector jobs, as well as exceeding beginning faculty salaries. The board needs to take back control of salary rates and staffing levels.



2. Two years ago, the college received $10 million in new state revenue which the board could have allocated for infrastructure repairs, but simply gave to the unions. Then last year, the board borrowed $7.8 million for replacement of the telephone and computer systems. In essence, the board borrowed money for the previous year salary increase.

In addition to a balanced budget policy, the board also needs to develop an Infrastructure repair policy and more effectively allocate currently available budget resources to better meet the needs of the college and the students.

Lamont Royer

Auburn