Thousand Oaks, Simi Each Award Raises to 2 Top City Officials

Giving the city’s top two bureaucrats a healthy Christmastime boost, the Thousand Oaks City Council has raised the salaries of City Manager Grant Brimhall and City Atty. Mark Sellers retroactive to the summer of 1994.

Simi Valley’s top city officials also received raises this week, with City Manager Mike Sedell now making as much money as longtime City Atty. John Torrance.

Thousand Oaks council members voted 3 to 1 Tuesday to raise Brimhall’s salary by 2% and Sellers’ pay by 3%. Councilwoman Elois Zeanah voted against the increases. Councilwoman Linda Parks, elected in November, abstained from the vote.

“He brings more creativity and enthusiasm to this job after 18 years than most people do after five,” Mayor Judy Lazar said of Brimhall. “It never ceases to amaze me the number of people who stop and tell me they wish they had Mr. Brimhall in their city.”

Brimhall’s base salary will go up from $10,764 a month, or $129,168 a year, to $10,979 a month, or $131,748 annually. Sellers’ salary will go from $8,405 a month, or $100,860 a year, to $8,657 a month, or $103,884 annually.

Brimhall and Sellers last received raises in 1994, when Sellers received a $2,937 annual boost and Brimhall got an added $7,312 a year.

Both men also drive city-provided cars and receive deferred compensation, or money set aside to earn interest until retirement. Brimhall receives a deferred compensation package totaling 15% of his salary, while Sellers gets 10%.

“These are top-level administrative people who take on complex issues,” Councilman Andy Fox said. “I think they deserve a raise.”

The Simi Valley City Council reached the same conclusion Monday night, granting the city manager and city attorney raises in their six-figure salaries.

The council voted 5 to 0 to give Sedell a 6% raise and Torrance a 2% raise.

Sedell earns a $9,639-a-month salary, but coupled with benefits, insurance and car costs, his 1996 package was worth $147,012 a year. His raise brings his yearly compensation package to a total of about $159,600.

Torrance’s $10,155 monthly salary will be raised, bringing his yearly total to about $159,600, including benefits, insurance and other perks, according to city records.

Councilwoman Barbara Williamson said the council did not mean to adjust Sedell’s raise so his salary package would precisely match Torrance’s.

“However, I have to tell you I think he deserves it,” she said. “He does a hell of a job for us.”

The raises for both men took effect Monday, retroactive to Dec. 9.