Home Antioch Antioch City Manager to Receive $20k Raise on Tuesday

Antioch City Manager to Receive $20k Raise on Tuesday

by ECT

On Tuesday, the Antioch City Council will decide on whether or not Antioch City Manager Ron Bernal will get a $20,000 raise.

According to the agenda item, the Council is being recommended to approve a resolution to approving the First Amendment to the Employment Agreement with Bernal.

Bernal is currently making $230,000 after being hired on May 9, 2017. The employment agreement on Tuesday would increase his annual salary to $250,000–a one year contract extension through May 9, 2019.  This comes following a closed session meeting on May 8, 2018 following his performance evaluation.

The following list of City Managers were used as part of the salary survey:

  • $281,507 – Richmond
  • $274,104 – Concord
  • $257,760 – Pittsburg
  • $254,000 – Walnut Creek
  • $251,075 – Brentwood
  • $250,000 – Antioch (proposed)
  • $239,460 – Oakley

Bernal was hired last March to replace Steve Duran who had been hired in 2013.

To view the staff report, click here.

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47 comments

Smy Jun 11, 2018 - 7:04 am

Clean up not give this bastard a raise. What’s that got to do with Antioch

Jim Simmons Jun 11, 2018 - 7:06 am

This is crazy talk to me. Nothing has improved in the past year in Antioch to warrant such a raise under the direction of Bernal and this inept city council. Sure, Ron is a nice guy but his leadership and decision making is poor. Whatever happened to a simple cost of living increase at 3% instead? His salary should increase to $236.900! Nothing more. The council seems like they are going through the motions vs. using logic with this.

... Jun 11, 2018 - 7:19 am

There is zero logic, thats the problem.

Munson Jun 11, 2018 - 7:11 am

Perhaps instead of worrying about his pay, the council should focus on what Mr. Bernal refuses to do which is get rid of horrible staff starting with public works, economic development and parks and recreation. Only then does he show the leadership necessary to earn a $20k raise.

Exactly Jun 11, 2018 - 7:22 am

agree 100 %

... Jun 13, 2018 - 10:13 am

Munson,

Clearly based on your response you have never worked at a management position to realize that it is extremely difficult to get rid of anyone let alone entire staff positions. Part of being a great leader is taking the time to develope your existing team (which we all know doesn’t happen overnight!

Thank you so much for believing in Antioch and Ron Bernal!

LOL Jun 11, 2018 - 7:16 am

This is why people in Antuoch that care, lose there fuking minds…..Always articles about pay raises, spending over here, spending over there. Never, ever an article about how crime has been reduced, or how the city is going to fix the insane homeless problem or how they are going to clean up all the garbage that people just dump everywhere. We are short cops, but lets give this clown a nice raise, makes perfect sense. The very little hope i have for this town is almost completely gone and if people like me that care give up on this City, watch out! Maybe when the Mayor finished promoting his little diet journey, he can start to focus on this City, but its ok Mayor, take your sweet time.

ECT Jun 11, 2018 - 7:28 am

@LOL

You should know that PD used to do quarterly reports, those are no longer being done and the community gets those figures once a year and what the data means. Unless PD changes their minds, no one knows current crime numbers because it only comes out once a year. In the meantime, the numbers each month can be viewed on the City Website at http://www.ci.antioch.ca.us/CityGov/Police/Crime-Maps/current-stats.pdf

The last time PD reported crime was down was in March which was posted:
https://eastcountytoday.net/antioch-police-chief-reports-violent-crime-down-20-in-2017-calls-for-service-increase/

Thanks ECT Jun 11, 2018 - 7:34 am

Thanks for your feedback…..I do remember this now….Not sure if I agree with the report numbers being accurate, but thats just my opinion…I really wish they would post them quarterly.

Everyone Jun 11, 2018 - 7:27 am

Should check out seeclickfix website for the City…….If you care about the city, you can help clean it up. It will also put pressure on City leaders and public works to stop being lazy, as it documents concerns from citizens.

Here is the link..
http://www.ci.antioch.ca.us/CityGov/PublicWorks/SeeClickFix.htm

Julio Jun 11, 2018 - 9:36 am

Outrageous! This city deserves the bankruptcy that is coming. Mr. Bernal is an awful supervisor. No one works, actually just ask them, they admit it is a joke.. Bernal isn’t a good manager, just look around. Weeds in every city planter, never watered even in our parks. Parks get watered two days a week and look like the brown hills around Antioch. Staff is as big a joke as their reports to city council. No one works and most of them will admit it. Try to find a supervisor during the day. Good luck. Some are even at home, right Mr. Ebbs. I have lost all faith in this city except actually the police department.

It is time Mr. Bernal finds out about confrontation and uses it to fire some of this useless staff. Start with Dawn since her very large financial mistake has finally been brought to light.

... Jun 11, 2018 - 9:45 am

Bernal doesnt have the sack to fire anybody…..and youre right that the City workers joke and laugh about how little they do, meanwhile laughing all the way to the bank.

Hadenough Jun 11, 2018 - 10:32 am

Antioch’s homeless problem gets worse bye the day! The Crime is so bad here they should build a wall around Antioch! Antioch wants to spend $95,000.00 to rebrand Antioch as a good place to move too? I thought we elected a new Mayor? Hear he has been so busy losing weight, he forgot to take care of the needs of the people of Antioch! Now we hear that someone working for the city gets a $20,000 raise! We have so many buildings and properties with fences around them, and malls that look like ghost towns! Not to mention all the broken down cars that litter our streets, they are the ones so dusty you can’t see inside of them! And speaking of litter, the homeless dump it everywhere! I have side shows by my house all the time! I could keep going on, but you get my point!

Very Jun 11, 2018 - 10:45 am

Well said!!!! I know a ton of guys that would do a better job for half his salary and be thankful everyday for having a job.

Jimbo Jun 11, 2018 - 10:35 am

This while our city leaders want to “Rebrand” the city of Blight. Apparently the city council acknowledges that it’s residents are insecure about identifying Antioch as their place of residence. Well Duh…. It’s a crap hole. I don’t tell anyone I’m from the Gateway Floating Turd from the Dirty Delta. Our city is in trouble, and I think we need to cut corners. That extra $20K could pay for a part-time trash collector. Lets dump this City Manager, and find someone that wants the job for 200K.

Yep Jun 11, 2018 - 10:49 am

You cant drive a City block without seeing trash on the street, trash in driveways, abandoned cars, boats parked in driveways and lawns, homeless people, people begging…….its not a problem anymore, its a crisis!

Jimbo Jun 11, 2018 - 12:05 pm

I agree. My city is a complete dump, and don’t even get me started on the schools. The only way I see to fix all the problems in Antioch, is higher sales taxes. I know we don’t want to think about that, but its our only way out of this mess. Yes we need to make city officials more accountable for the money they already have, but that still won’t fix the problem. I read this years budget and ‘State of the City’, the graphs clearly show that Antioch’s expenditures exceeds it’s revenues. That’s a recipe for disaster. If that wasn’t bad enough, most cities our size have 200+ Police Officers. We have approximately 100. Is it any wonder we see all the lawless activity in this city??

Taxes Jun 11, 2018 - 12:21 pm

I wouldnt have an issue paying more taxes, IF i knew it would fix the problem. The problem is I feel like these clowns in office dont manage money well, so how will more money make them manage money better? Money management is a skill that you either have or dont have, its hard to teach people this. And yes dont get me started in the schools either, that is a topic for another day for sure.

Marty Fernandez Jun 11, 2018 - 3:48 pm

The sales tax will not pass. They are just getting started hyping that one! But all of the council wants the income from marijuana sales. Just keep running this city down council! Every creek and gully in town if full of homeless. Look around you at the trash in the gutters, yards, shopping centers, everywhere you look!

The mayor should not be using the city to hype his diet solution. Bless him for losing weight but that is a personal thing and he should not be using the city as a podium for sales. Mr. Editor was this a paid commentary from the Mayor?

ECT Jun 11, 2018 - 8:24 pm

@Marty,

No, I put it out with that headline, he never promoted it that way.

John Baptiste Jun 11, 2018 - 4:15 pm

He makes as much as 6 school teachers in Antioch…. ‘Murica!!

Lloyd Kohler Jun 11, 2018 - 5:35 pm

A raise. Really!!!! Think the money could be better spent on business improvement and clean up. Bet he doesn’t even live within city limits. Seriously, take a look around and ask the question again. Take a photo of his mansion and compare to those living under the bridge. I vote 25 percent of his raise go to homeless.

Dawn Jun 11, 2018 - 6:09 pm

I can’t believe that all these jokers (aka, city managers) from the cities listed above are making a killing in their jobs? They are earning more than many doctors who SAVE PEOPLES’ LIVES, for Christ’s sake! These are public sector jobs, not private industry where people actually DO SOME WORK! This is total insanity! These people should be earning no more than $90K and that’s even too much! I can see why so many people are upset!

Look at the list.... Jun 11, 2018 - 6:23 pm

5 of those 7 cities are actually nicer both visually and crime wise. Look at the 2 bottom feeders, Richmond and Antioch…..Greedy fukers wanting to open up Deer Valley High School, was what killed this City…..Houses werent built yet, but the school was ready to open, so they bussed in kids from Oakland and Richmond. Eventually they migrated here and fuked this entire City.. Who would have guessed 20 years ago that Pittsburg would be a nicer place to live then Antioch?

Julio Jun 11, 2018 - 7:33 pm

Take a walk through Deer Valley dump high school. It is filthy and not maintained at all. Go during lunch and you will see people just dumping their wrappers on the ground. Only thing better than Antioch High School is they managed to put together a nice graduation ceremony which Antioch High could not put together. Antioch HS is still a bigger dump than D/V but not by much. Both are typical Antioch and the school district trustees DO NOT CARE. As them and they just shrug their shoulders.

i bet Jun 11, 2018 - 8:42 pm

I stay far away from that area most of the time and especially during school hours…Remember all the fights after school a couple years ago ? And stores would literally close for an hour when school got out, so pathetic. As far as dumping wrappers, its no surprise. ive been at stoplights and the car next to me would toss fast food wrappers out the window, like it was nothing. I would love to know whether Bernal even lives in Antioch, somebody on here must know?

Julio Jun 13, 2018 - 9:33 am

Bernal has lived in Antioch since he moved here for work from Davis, CA. At least 20 years ago. He is also very active in his church here in town. It isn’t Golden Hills I believe. He only needs a couple of years to reach 25 years and retire at the highest salary he can achieve.

Thanks Jun 13, 2018 - 9:40 am

Im sure hes a nice guy, probably too nice. And being nice isnt going to make the changes that we need here. We need changes today, not in a week, not in a month, but today. Hes been here a year, time for him and the Mayor to take this City back.

Julie Jun 11, 2018 - 6:50 pm

Pittsburg is now way nicer.. I grew up in Antioch and got the heck out when my oldest was about to start school.. Noway would I have her attend school with the situation as it was. That was 22 years ago and sadly Antioch is a ghetto. The way it looks, it’s demographic now seeing bars so windows like Richmond , Oakland has become a must have in several areas. I’m in Oakley now after 28 years away and the Antioch riff Raff is bleeding on us.. It is just sad. What can be done? Seriously, what actual actin can be done that will make a difference? Because critizing as we are isn’t part of a solution. I’m totally at a loss.

Fast forward 10 years..... Jun 11, 2018 - 6:56 pm

Oakley and Brentwood will be full of the same issues at Antioch, its a natural migration East.

Al Mason Jun 11, 2018 - 7:21 pm

Dear City Council, hope you are listening….tie any salary increase

to CPI until this City is in the black. Please represent the interests of the residents over biased staff reports.

Loretta Sweatt Jun 12, 2018 - 12:33 am

I think the City Council and Mayor should get a raise. Their compensation is really low compared to other cities and all the time they give at late night meetings, etc. I believe the previous City Manager earned quite a bit, so it looks like the salary is in line with the history and going rate. The City does need to get cleaner, much more strict vehicle laws and the schools need a better reputation. I can’t imagine back in the day anyone at any school throwing trash on the ground. The Police Dept is wonderful and Antioch has not had any horrific school shooting tragedies at our schools or killed police officers, and we all need to be grateful for that every minute of every day and make sure it stays that way. Other cities have suffered far worse crimes than Antioch. Check the statistics.

Loretta Sweatt Jun 12, 2018 - 12:35 am

I think the City Council and Mayor should get a raise. Their compensation is really low compared to other cities and all the time they give at late night meetings, etc. I believe the previous City Manager earned quite a bit, so it looks like the salary is in line with the history and going rate. The City does need to get cleaner, much more strict vehicle laws and the schools need a better reputation. I can’t imagine back in the day anyone at any school throwing trash on the ground. The Police Dept is wonderful and Antioch has not had any horrific school shooting tragedies at our schools or killed police officers, and we all need to be grateful for that every minute of every day and make sure it stays that way. Other cities have suffered far worse crimes than Antioch. Check the statistics.

Are you crazy? Jun 12, 2018 - 7:46 am

Name 1 city in Contra Costa acounty worse then Antioch? Besides youre allover the map, nobody is saying cops shouldnt get raises, the issue here is about the CITY MANAGER getting a raise. How is this City better today then a year ago? Please explain……

The only thing that has helped shooting and murders stay lower in this City, is that cops have actually shot some of these scumbags. ( Remember the the guy who got shot by an off duty after he killed that gas station owner up on Hillcrest and they guy that ran from cops in Sycamore and flashed a gun at cops and was killed) Cops taking less shit from these scumbags and putting a round or two in them was a bit of an eye opener for these hoodrats.

With the passive attitudes and lack of leadership , this City will be bankrupt with in the next 4 years.

Lola Saavedra Jun 12, 2018 - 1:56 pm

I think the other cities are paying way too high salaries to their mayors and city councils. Same goes for the city managers. Why does this Bernal clown need a raise of any kind? He only has a Bachelor’s degree. Not even an MBA! Something funny is going on! People in the public sector should not be getting paid more than those working in the private sector. This is outrageous!

Loretta Sweatt Jun 12, 2018 - 12:36 am

I think the City Council and Mayor should get a raise. Their compensation is really low compared to other cities and all the time they give at late night meetings, etc. I believe the previous City Manager earned quite a bit, so it looks like the salary is in line with the history and going rate. The City does need to get cleaner, much more strict vehicle laws and the schools need a better reputation. I can’t imagine back in the day anyone at any school throwing trash on the ground. The Police Dept is wonderful and Antioch has not had any horrific school shooting tragedies at our schools or killed police officers, and we all need to be grateful for that every minute of every day and make sure it stays that way. Other cities have suffered far worse crimes than Antioch. Check the statistics.

me Jun 12, 2018 - 7:58 am

What are the details of the salary survey? If all they did is reflected in the staff report then that’s not a legitimate salary survey. It’s just a dirty salary comparison that doesn’t take into account other factors. For example, not all those cities are 2.7% at 55. Not all those cities are the same size in population or sq miles. Not all those cities have as few city employees per capita as Antioch. The list goes on. A true survey would take all that into consideration and more. The city would have to spend some money on a legit survey but that would open the door to do it for all employees, not just the CM. Nope, can’t do that. Let’s just pick and choose who we want to give a raise and do some BS comparison and call it a salary survey. Or just invent new positions for people who are already there (dep pw director II, asst city engineer II, econ dev manager) and assign some arbitrary salary

Here are the facts…Bernal’s gotten 3 pay raises in the last 4 years. From PW director, to Asst CM, and then CM after Council screwed that one up and cost us big money to get Duran out. And council is OK with giving Bernal a 8.7% raise already? He’s a likable guy, much better personality than Duran, and he seems sincere in caring about Antioch but Council should NOT approve this, or at a minimum, delay it 1 year and have it tied to some performance criteria.

Julio Jun 13, 2018 - 6:44 am

Ron lives in Antioch for probably 20 years or more, is sincere and caring BUT lives his life through rose colored glasses. He does not see what we see either with city staff or around the city.

Sorry, no raise for Ron, he didn’t get it last night but they are bringing it back. As usual the staff report was incomplete and failed to mention all kinds of criteria for him to get bonuses and other sweet deals.

Thanks Juiio Jun 13, 2018 - 9:34 am

Always appreciate your knowledge on here…….. Good to know he lives here , that means he must see some of the issues we all do, however most bosses that are to nice get taken advantage of. We need a hard nosed, tough City Manager that makes things happen. I have zero issue with him making 20 k more, if we see some serious results. I drive all around this City daily, its embarrassing to see the crap that I see here and Its getting to the point where its emarrassing to even live here anymore.

Tracy Jun 13, 2018 - 11:15 am

Makes me wonder if there would be this out cry if we were talking about McDonald’s workers going from 10-12 an hour, because Brentwood pays $13.
You cannot expect to retain employees if you’re below-market wage. Everyone deserves to be paid market wage. Give the man his 20k then address performance accirdingly.

Umm Jun 13, 2018 - 11:27 am

Hes been a City Manager for a year, just like any evaluation, show us why he deserves a raise? Raises are earned by performance, why should it be any different for him? Paying market wage isnt the issue, but maybe hes not the guy for the job, see the difference? McDonalds is gross, not sure how people eat that crap.

Julio Jun 13, 2018 - 4:57 pm

Performance should be addressed first. Y ou do not give a raise to some one not performing his job. Nice guys finish last and I want to see him prove he has a back bone.

... Jun 13, 2018 - 5:26 pm

Well said!!

Tracy Jun 14, 2018 - 8:22 pm

Your point would only make sense if he was grossly over paid when compared to other cities. We don’t under pay people then make them prove they are worth, what they should have been paid in the first place. He should not have to PROVE he is worth market wage.

Good thing Jun 15, 2018 - 6:26 am

McDonalds is always hiring, there is hope for you there.

Illiena L Volynskaya Jun 14, 2018 - 9:12 am

There is a problem with the new eBart drop off zone in Antioch. What is it? There is none! Nothing marked specifically for “pick up and drop off” – that white zone that is so clearly marked in all the other BART stations. This is one of many oversites that this area has. Where was the city planner when they were planning eBart’s Antioch parking area? And he is getting a raise. For what?

RUSALKA Jun 16, 2018 - 11:08 pm

The eBART problem as well as other very visible ones indicate that this city is poorly managed. It’s nice to earn close to half-a-million dollars per year and just letting things slide. There is no real planning. No real coordination and no real leadership! The city should crack down on home owners who let their properties deteriorate. Code Enforcement should go neighborhood-by-neighborhood, take down addresses of the offending properties and nail the owners/landlords. . . most of whom are absentee. We should not just have to report the violations and then watch as nothing happens.

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