New County CEO’s Contract Unveiled

The three-year contract San Diego County Assistant Chief Administrator Chandra Wallar signed to become Santa Barbara County’s new chief executive officer is now public.

According to officials, despite differences in some of the subcategories of compensation, the overall compensation amount is almost exactly the same as outgoing CEO Mike Brown’s was.

For some context, some of the provisions in Brown’s contract, and that of Ventura County CEO Marty Robinson, have been included in parentheses.

Some highlights:

Her contract runs from November 1, 2010, through October 31, 2013. (Robinson’s was also for three years.)

Wallar will be paid an annual salary of $232,000. Further adjustments will be made by the Board of Supervisors “based upon performance.” (Brown was paid $228,070, Robinson at $225,000)

Wallar will receive credit for 11 years of public agency service “for purposes of calculating annual vacation accrual rate.” When she starts, Waller will receive 80 hours of vacation and 80 hours of sick leave for immediate use.

The county will make a payment of $206.67 twice a month into the county’s offered health-care plan selected by Wallar, and up to $13.13 twice a month for Wallar’s dental plan of choice.

Should Wallar resign, or if the contract is not renewed, she can put up to a year of accrued and unused sick leave toward retirement service credit.

The county will make an annual $10,000 contribution into a 401(a) plan. (The county made payments totaling roughly 1.5 percent of Brown’s salary, which appears to be $3,421 each year. Robinson receives a 5 percent contribution, or $11,250, from the county into a 401(k) each year.)

Wallar will receive $20,000 for relocation expenses — travel, meals, temporary housing — to be treated as a reimbursement. The balance of $20,000, if any, will be paid as a housing offset.

In lieu of being assigned a county vehicle, Wallar will receive an allowance of $307 per pay period, plus mileage reimbursement for use of a personal vehicle “as set forth in applicable County travel policy.” (Brown received $271 per pay period, along with mileage reimbursement. Robinson receives a $600 per month allowance, or may be provided a vehicle.)

The Board of Supervisors will conduct a written evaluation of Wallar’s performance at least once a year.

Wallar can be terminated with or without cause, and the agreement can be terminated by any party with 60 days written notice. The county can terminate immediately for malfeasance, breach or neglect of duties under the agreement or County Code, conviction of a felony, or intentional actions of dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation.

If the county terminates the contract, Wallar will receive severance pay equal to 12 months compensation, unless terminated for malfeasance or the other reasons stated above. (Brown’s contract called for nine months of severance pay, Robinson’s for six.)

The county will pay $212 every pay period to Wallar’s share of the cost of the retirement benefit provided to department heads. (The county paid a $172.30 contribution for Brown.)