Local News in Brief : Thousand Oaks Weighs Ruling on Baring Bonus Information

Despite a state legal opinion that Thousand Oaks citizens have the right to know how much city department heads receive in annual performance bonuses, the city has not decided whether to release such information, officials said Friday.

Compliance with the opinion from the state attorney general’s office will be up to City Council members, said Mark Sellers, acting city attorney.

A ruling issued Thursday by the state agency concluded that the bonuses are subject to public disclosure. A Thousand Oaks citizens group has sought such information for 20 months but has been rebuffed by city officials, who assert that a disclosure could embarrass some workers.

Sellers said council members will discuss the issue behind closed doors Tuesday night because the citizens group has threatened a lawsuit over the bonuses. He said he has not decided whether to recommend that the council comply with the non-binding state opinion.