Spokane7
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January 12, 2012 in City
Verner preceded her exit with request for back pay
Seeks $140,000 or a boost to her retirement benefits
Verner
(Full-size photo)
In her final days as Spokane’s mayor, Mary Verner decided that she wanted a raise.
After voluntarily capping her annual pay at about $100,000 for four years – and pledging to do the same in a second term if re-elected – Verner changed her mind after losing the November election and issued a formal request Dec. 29 for about $140,000 in uncollected back pay from the final two years of her term. If that wasn’t possible, Verner requested that her retirement benefits be calculated as if she had earned the full mayoral salary of about $170,000 a year.
“I submitted the requests when I faced the prospect of being unable to support my family and provide medical insurance after having given up almost $300,000 over the last four years,” Verner, who was out of town this week, said in an email responding to questions from The Spokesman-Review. “I received no payout of weeks of unused vacation or sick leave, and my income was coming to an abrupt end.”
Verner said that since submitting the request she has “received job offers that will alleviate the financial pressure for me and my family” and that if the city agrees to issue her the back pay she’s now open to reconsidering “whether or not I will accept any money.”
Under the City Charter, only the city administrator is allowed to earn more than the mayor. That means that the mayor is supposed to earn a salary equal or greater than the next highest-paid city official, which is usually the police chief or fire chief.
Despite that provision, Verner and her predecessor, Dennis Hession, voluntarily held their salaries below the mandated amount.
Soon after winning the mayor’s office in 2007, Verner said her salary would be held at $100,000 – a much greater concession than Hession made – noting that it was substantially more than she earned in her previous job. In the months that followed, the economy crashed and the decision became a symbol of the sacrifices being made to help balance the budget.
“I have to set an example from the top to cut back so that other people can keep their jobs and deliver services,” Verner said in an interview last year. During her re-election campaign she pledged she would continue to cap her salary as long as the economy continued to struggle.
The 2012 city budget that Verner proposed and the City Council approved did not set aside money for Verner to earn back pay. That means that the City Council would have to approve an emergency budget ordinance, which would require a supermajority vote.
Asked where the city would come up with the money, Chief Financial Officer Gavin Cooley said: “It would simply add to the deficit that we otherwise would be grappling with.”
The issue is under review by the City Attorney’s office.
City Attorney Howard Delaney declined to comment on Verner’s specific requests, but he said the city’s legal department has issued opinions about the topic of declining pay at least since the administration of former Mayor Jim West and that “our advice has been consistent all the way along.”
In October 2005, West issued an executive order to lower his salary by $25,000. But the order only went into effect on Dec. 1, 2005 – the same month he was recalled from office. Hession held his salary to $139,000 when a boost in Fire Chief Bobby Williams’ annual pay would have otherwise required Hession’s salary to increase. City spokeswoman Marlene Feist said the city has no record of Hession requesting back pay and that he was not issued pay to make up for what he voluntarily gave up during his term.
On Dec. 29, three days before Verner’s term ended, the outgoing mayor wrote two letters to other administrators. One was sent to Accounting Director Pam Dolan requesting that “the city pay me the full salary mandated by the charter not previously received by me for the last two years.”
The other was sent to Delaney requesting that her retirement be calculated as if she had earned the full amount.
City employees’ retirement is based on their final two years of work.
Her pension, which she will begin collecting this year, has been calculated based on her $100,000 rate of pay. She is set to earn about $1,400 a month. Had her pay been $170,000, she would earn nearly $2,400 a month in pension.
Retirement Director Leo Griffin said benefits are calculated on the true earnings a person received in a given year.
“There’s no precedent that I’m aware of for paying someone a pension based on a ‘what if’ salary,” Griffin said. “We apply the rules and that’s what we did with her pension.”
Administrators in the past several years had concerns related to mayors declining pay because of the City Charter, and concern about how declining pay might affect the mayors’ taxes and pensions. But Verner held steady that her pay should be kept at the $100,000 level.
Mayor David Condon, who agreed to hold his salary to whatever Verner budgeted for 2012 but hasn’t made any salary pledges beyond that, said he is aware of Verner’s request.
“I have not been briefed on what the legal interpretation is,” Condon said. “I’ll reserve any comment until I go through the process.”
Closing Geiger: Wise or worrisome? 
jddavis on January 12 at 12:21 a.m.
She must have thought she’d be “Mayor for Life.” Questionable indeed…
Dazzeetrader11 on January 12 at 1:08 a.m.
Poor thing. She should go get a job as a lawyer. I hear there’s some jobs near the courthouse….
WayFedUp2 on January 12 at 1:34 a.m.
But what was all her bs about being broke, the city is in the red, can’t balance the budget, WaaaaaaaaaaaaWaaaaaaaaaa. This is exactly why, too many gluttons on the payroll.
oneanddone on January 12 at 4:20 a.m.
This is exactly why nearly everyone despises politicians. The city should tell her to pound sand. I doubt even the 9th circuit would back her on this one.
Pat O'Leary on January 12 at 5:25 a.m.
What I don’t understand is why one is entitled to ANY pension after such a short tenure in office? As I recall, she was on the City Council for four years, and mayor for another four. Eight years and she, and all others, get a pension for life? Elected officials should get no better deal than any other city employee, and I doubt they get a life-time pension for eight years of service
Scoutster on January 12 at 5:56 a.m.
The back pay seems water under the bridge…she made the gesture but lost the election and that’s that.
Her request that the pension be keyed to what the actual salary was doesn’t seem unreasonable although difficult to implement.
dataxman on January 12 at 5:59 a.m.
I am all for letting her retirement benefits being calculated as if she had made $170,000 for those two years - if she is willing to allow the IRS to calculate her income tax as if she made $170,000 in each of those two years as well…
Of course, she didn’t make contributions into the system as if she made $170K a year so this really is a request for free money (free to her).
Elected officials should not receive public pensions. Let them set up a 401(k) and the City can match contributions up to a certain percentage.
Pigrobin on January 12 at 6:16 a.m.
You are only as good as your word. In this case, the ex mayor ain’t worth a whole lot. Why does this not surprise me?
Truthhurts on January 12 at 6:43 a.m.
This is sad.
Let’s give her the money, despite her grand gesturing in capping her own salary.
She blew the Zehm case, and blew monitoring the police, generally. Her political career, she has rightly discerned, cannot be revived, and this request is a sign of that.
Giving Verner her entire salary is her “booby prize” for choosing salary grandstanding over courage against rogue cops.
soccermomsusie on January 12 at 6:44 a.m.
I hate to be the main strategeryist for all my Republican leaders. But, here goes. Why doesn’t Mayor Condon, Nancy and the Nancy Boys (Allen, Salvatori and Fagan) forgo all of their taxpayer-funded salaries and just have my GOP pay their salaries instead? In the long run, it will be cheaper than us having to buy the next election.
Along these lines, there was a rumor that Sen Michael BumGardener was going to give up his pension for a 401k. What ever happened to that story?
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
helenkraft on January 12 at 7:05 a.m.
What kind of screwed up reasoning would make a person think they could ask, and get, an ex-employer to pay a higher salary than they agreed on when elected to office. hummmmm I guess it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Radbooks on January 12 at 7:09 a.m.
A pension? After FOUR years? Most people have to work 20 to 30 years to earn any sort of pension. No wonder the city budget is going broke.
DickAdams on January 12 at 7:16 a.m.
Seems to me there is no end regarding Verner`s sour grapes when she lost her bid to be reelected mayor. I`ll never forget how Verner et al, covered up the Otto Zehm murder. I have a hunch Verner may be a pathological liar. Why doesn`t Verner understand the reason the voters decided to send her packing down the road kicking tin cans? My guess, one big reason she lost is Verner was a liar, notwithstanding allowing her underlings to make her decisions (except for some of her reckless spending, and I`m not even sure about that) and lacking management skills.
The_Seer on January 12 at 7:34 a.m.
Verner already has moved to Seattle. Got that one from a direct source. It’s more expensive over there, ya know, so just give her what she should have earned and be done with it.
barrister on January 12 at 7:37 a.m.
This is another example of a system created by it’s benefactors.
With minimal time on the job these local politicians can pilfer a handsome retirment without any real investment. No wonder the city is in the RED.
THE HEAD NEEDS TO BE CUT OFF OF THE CURRENT SYSTEM!!
GSLFan on January 12 at 7:45 a.m.
Queen Mary better be packing up the moving van because she’s worn out her welcome in this town.
“I have to set an example from the top to cut back so that other people can keep their jobs and deliver services,” (cue the Animal House courtroom scene where the brothers cough…you know which one I mean)
At no time did she say “I’m deferring my salary” - she said she was holding her salary at $100K as an example to make tough cuts in tough times.
Well, we now know what kind of example you set, Queen Mary: Self-serving and vindictive. Rap about that on youtube.
D Statler on January 12 at 8:54 a.m.
Her novel will be published and sold early next week. LOL
Verbal on January 12 at 9:00 a.m.
So she lost her job, I presume unexpectedly, and now she wants/needs money to help her stay afloat? Well, welcome to the world of the unemployed, Mary. You should have better prepared.
But then again, planning for the future staying within a budget was never her strong suit.
ruthven78 on January 12 at 9:50 a.m.
Im so glad this vindictive witch is out of office now! DONT LET THE DOOR KNOB HIT YOU IN THE KEESTER ON THE WAY OUT!
PlanB on January 12 at 10:06 a.m.
Situational ethics as usual. I’m so glad she’s gone.
Dazzeetrader11 on January 12 at 10:11 a.m.
She is a lawyer..albeit an unemplopyed one. She did a terrible job in SPokane. She was a councilperson and then mayor. She has a package. SHe was defeated. This is not tragic…this is a typical liberal greenie trying to bilk the system she built. Sorry…she could be a working lawyer. Where’d all he money go? She’s ratholed it.
This woman needs to get a job instead of abusing the taxpayers further. SHe wants money to feather her bed while she begins her run at McMorris. No thanks. You’re fired! You’re lucky you’re not in jail.
liberal_in_right_wing_land on January 12 at 10:15 a.m.
These comments are funny. Yeah, she probably shouldn’t have done this, but really….not like republicans have never done wrong people.
Just wait until our boy wonder Mayor Condom after 2012 accepts the full salary of the mayor, you people going to be outraged for that also?
Dazzeetrader11 on January 12 at 10:21 a.m.
Unemployed. that was very bad:(
Verbal on January 12 at 11:20 a.m.
Lib - I wouldn’t have a problem with Condon taking his full salary next year, at least we would know he wouldn’t pull a Verner after leaving office. (and yes, Repubs game the system, too - that doesn’t mean this is OK)
Dazzee - between the Zehm cover-up, dissolving the property crimes unit, the union contracts and this stunt, I don’t think she’ll be making a run at McMorris. She seems to be burning all of her bridges on her way out of town.
Is there any way of knowing if she gave her staff “golden parachutes”?
dapeach on January 12 at 12:31 p.m.
she can’t get a job? Why? She’s an attorney, we all know she’s going to do those stupid speaking engagements and going to write a book. She doesn’t have any savings? And $1,400 would be the sole income for her family? Holy crap what kind of lazy ass family does she have? Even so unless she is planning on still living high off the hog? Welcome to reality Mary! I live on less than half that and I’m not naked, homeless, or hungry. I did a really neat thing…. I learned how to BUDGET the money I have! I learned to live within my means.(thank you gramma!) Welcome to reality Mary! The big fancy car and Macy’s is gone now. So is steak and eating out. Time to live like the real people you were supposed to be working for. Life is going to be real now, and is going to suck for you! hahaha!
dapeach on January 12 at 12:35 p.m.
ps, (directed specifically towards Mary) I will teach you how to budget and I will do it free of charge! I’ll even teach you how to cook a delicious dinner for 5 under $20. (that kids will like too) Gimme a call!
Dazzeetrader11 on January 12 at 12:44 p.m.
Verbal…the Dems are already assuring her that she is their candidate for that spot. Considering things gone by, I think McMorris is secure. Verner is one of the sneakiness pols ever. Spokane caught onto her game. Still though, if she sees some kind of opening, she’ll try.
Dems are odd that way…they make their own fantasy news and then continue to quote it. Convinces some I suppose but then never underestimate those diehards who vote Dem even if Attila the Hun is their candidate. I have a mother in law who does that.
Verner’s always been in it for herself. What “green” thing did this green mayor do? She appointed ( ie wasted money) on some greenie advisors but what did THEY do? Not much but she could claim she did her job. Just a big ruse to give her pals some work…..
And yet , nobody’s mentioned the $12-15 million she wasted on real estate purchases when she said the projected deficit would be…wait for it..$12-15 million. Nobody seemed to catch on…she made the deficit!!…and then tried to raise taxes to pay for her goofiness. Just about the worst mayor in Spokane’s history…and Spokane’s had some doozies…
voice_of_reason on January 12 at 1:54 p.m.
Trying to make this short:
- I knew Mary nearly 15 years ago, before she even married, then divorced, Mr. Moore the carwash guy
- Mary has always worked as hard or harder than everyone around her
- Mary is an unbelievably intelligent person and highly motivated
- Mary and I conversed and were social many times prior to her becoming Mayor
- The first time I saw Mary AFTER she became Mayor, she completely ignored my existence, didn’t look at me, listen to me, acknowledge me
- Second time, same thing
- the next time I saw her she was yelling at her young son and yanking his arm so hard I thought she was going to remove it completely from his body
The OLD Mary was a wonderful, hard working, intelligent, motivated breath of fresh air to all those around her.
The NEW Mary … enough said.
ChefGus/ John Olsen on January 12 at 3:21 p.m.
Sorry I ever worked on her campaign with Matt Hedman…( who she pitched to the ditch)… Proud to have worked and supported Mayor Hession… Ms Verner is NOT someone I would want or have as a friend… and if I were her Father I would be Ashamed… just Ashamed… Many Many including her “inside group” advised her to get out front on the Otto Zehm case months and months ago… she DID not listnen/copy.. If she had but done what she did after the election .. Before…. the Election…the our “Suqstainability Program and Progress… would still be moving forward.. ” Quellle E’st le Raison d’ etre” here….. or as we might also say WTF?? John… Ms Mary you would do well to get in the stream….
DickAdams on January 12 at 4:30 p.m.
I must add one more post. Verner, the liar, may have taken a page out of Gavin Cooley`s book (he should have fired years ago). Cooley was appointed by the first strong mayor who served only 3 years. Well Cooley thought he was going to be on the outside looking in and obviously believed he`d be replaced by the next mayor. Thinking that way, Cooley made a plea on a local TV station expressing what he thought was no more than right asking for a FULL CITY PENSION if he was replaced and pandering to anybody that would listen to him for backing. What is in the water with these public employees that think the city of Spokane owes them these outlandish benefits? Parasites come to mind. Maybe Verner let this character make her decision re the pension she wants the taxpayers to fork over just like Cooley thought he was entitled too. And I hope that the citizens in Spokane remember, that Cooley was one of the architects who was a heavy hitter drafting the Cowleses agreement with the city of Spokane, to purchase the River Park Square parking garage. Cooley was instrumental in the agreement to dump the huge debt and let the taxpayers pay it off. And what did the stupids at city hall do, with Cooley`s help gave back to the Cowles Dynasty, the garage free and clear screwing the taxpayers. Oh, and Verner voted yes to pass the agreement and after its approval, she said it made her sick to her stomach to vote yes. Good riddance to bad rubbish. The dung will stick to Verner for ever more.
Steve Eugster on January 12 at 4:35 p.m.
Mary Vernor’s request to have the city give to her what she gave to the city is disturbing. It gives us an idea about Mrs. Vernor’s character. She made a big splash by giving up the money. She did it for political purposes. Her plans did not work out. She was not re-elected. Now she wants the money back — she wants to reset her salary back to an earlier time. Sad.
The city does not have the authority to give the money “back” to her. As mayor she had the authority to set her salary. She set it at a level less than the amount it could have been set under the city charter.
She now says she wants the money back. Even if the city wanted to give money to her in an amount measured by what she could have been paid less the amount she was paid, it cannot do so. What Mrs. Vernor wants would be a city gift to her.
The city cannot make gifts of public funds. The Washington state constitution is quite clear about this. In Article VIII, Section 7 it says:
” No county, city, town or other municipal corporation shall hereafter give any money, or property, or loan its money, or credit to or in aid of any individual, association, company or corporation, except for the necessary support of the poor and infirm, or become directly or indirectly the owner of any stock in or bonds of any association, company or corporation.”
There are other legal reasons why the money cannot be given to Mrs. Vernor. The constitutional prohibition is only one reason. Another is that Mrs. Vernor is no longer the mayor. She has no authority to reset her salary.
Auko on January 12 at 4:52 p.m.
What a sad and bitter woman.
Steve Eugster on January 12 at 5:56 p.m.
I apologize for mis-spelling Mrs. Verner’s name.
danramsey on January 12 at 6:21 p.m.
“Chump change”.
Spokane is a wealthy community. The City of Spokane has more than enough money to pay a convicted killer (by jury) of a Spokane citizen his retirement pay, vacation time and all amenities contained therein.
How could the good citizens of Spokane object to an outgoing employee of such compensation?
I remain unworried by such theater.
DDC on January 12 at 6:23 p.m.
I would like to say that I find it promising that Steve Eugster is still kicking.
Mr. Eugster…you made me scream and cheer….sometimes during the same CC meeting. But at least you were true to your belief and could not be “influenced”.
Thanks.
zelda on January 12 at 7:59 p.m.
Wow. Talk about sticking your foot in a bucket and clomping out of office looking like a blithering idiot.
Seems to me that Spokane doesn’t have a strong mayor form of government; it has a strong police guild form of government. There is no sense of shame when it comes to union-esque grasping and clutching for money. It’s a race to bottom in both parties, IMO.
ericdx on January 12 at 10:01 p.m.
For everone that hammers Condon for being Repuglickan, I would say that Verner the Dumbocrap is not a real shining example, and yet the “D”s thought she is great. Just goes to show you both parties are plies of crap and need to be dumped out.
GDodd on January 13 at 8:16 a.m.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoR2Oax82kY
EthicsinLE on January 13 at 6:00 p.m.
I must admit, I was a Verner supporter until near election time. Once it was apparent she was losing the election, she was very arrogant and lacked any class or self-respect. When she appeared on the Mike Fitzsimmons show, who I have tremendous respect for, she was rude, classless and treated Mike with no decency, courtesy or respect. It was blatantly obvious she was breaking her crayons and leaving the playground. Now this wanting $140,000 plus additional retirement is repulsive and shameful. When she was selected, she said she would forgo a portion of her wages to help the city budget, people retain their jobs, etc.. Now, once she lost the election, she is bitter and wanting to get all she can get. Since she lost the election, I have never seen such a lack of class, respect and integrity.
I was not a Condon supporter, but if he holds true to his promises, I give him credit and support him. Mr. Condon, if you hold true to your promises, which will be difficult, the citizens of Spokane will benefit. Mary just can’t seem to support her family on $100,000k per year, plus retirement, medical, etc.???? As I understand it, she is currently working for the Spokane Tribe, so she has a good income. It’s all about being bitter and getting those last jabs in, EMBARRISING!!!! I wish I made $100 k per year, plus lifetime retirement after only 4 years. Mary, I supported you, but you should be ashamed of yourself, absolutely disgusting!!! What a selfish, self-centered pig you are - and this is from someone who voted for you.