The Big Bear Post
The Official Newsletter of the City of Big Bear Lake Councilman Alan Lee
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City Manager Given A Controversial Taxpayer funded $20,000 Bonus
Councilman Lee, Was The Lone Councilmember To Oppose
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At its December 2021 meeting, the City Council of Big Bear Lake voted 4-1 to grant the City Manager a $20,000 pay bonus. Councilman Lee was the lone dissenting vote to oppose the bonus. Councilman Lee objected to the additional salary enhancement by pointing out that the City Manager, Mr. Frank Rush, had been employed by the City for less than 2 years, and had already received three (3) pay raises in that short period of time.
Just prior to his employment with the City of Big Bear Lake, Mr. Rush worked as the City Manager for the resort community of South Lake Tahoe for less than 1-year. South Lake Tahoe's workforce and budget are much larger than the City of Big Bear Lake's workforce and budget, and their city population is four times the size of Big Bear Lake's population. Mr. Rush's salary at South Lake Tahoe was $200,000 annually. His salary at Big Bear Lake has quickly swelled to over a quarter of a million dollars a year, to a whopping $258,125 annually. When factoring in his benefits, Mr. Rush's yearly salary balloons to $366,298.
Councilman Lee pointed out that the City of Big Bear Lake had never granted any other City Manager a bonus in the history of the City. Councilman Lee further expressed concerns regarding the message the City Council was sending to other employees not receiving extra pay. Councilman Lee said, "It's fiscally irresponsible to spend taxpayer's money on a bonus to its highest paid public employee. This has been a tough year for our Big Bear Valley residents, with many being displaced from their homes and losing their jobs. I could not, in good conscience, give the City Manager that type of bonus. It would have been a betrayal of public trust,” said Councilman Lee.
In addition to Mr. Rush's high salary, he receives two (2) taxpayers' subsidized retirement plans, a car allowance and several other perks.
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- The City Manager's annual salary now exceeds $258,000 or more than a quarter of a million dollars a year.
- The City Manager ranks amongst the highest paid City Managers in the state of California for one of the smallest cities.
- In addition to the unprecedented $20,000 bonus, the City Manager received three (3) additional pay increases as well as other benefit enhancements, despite being employed by the City for less than two years.
- The City Council did not seek public input on the taxpayer's funded bonus or even give advance notice to the community of its plans.
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Do you support the $20,000 bonus the City Council gave to the City Manager?
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Big Bear Tidal Wave Girl's Soccer Team Has Undefeated Season! |
The Tidal Wave Team Mom, Ms. Betty Portilla, reached out to Councilman Alan Lee seeking help to ensure that her undefeated team had funding to travel to the Commissioner's Championship Cup in Temecula, CA. Although the team of girls, ages 9-11 had an undefeated season in Big Bear, they needed funds for travel, food and accommodations. Hearing of their plight, Councilman Lee sprung into action. Working with local labor, civic and business leaders, Councilman Alan Lee was able to help raise the funds needed to sponsor the team.
The team and their parents enjoyed overnight accommodations, a pancake breakfast, a pool party, a feast at the Olive Garden Spaghetti Bar and an excursion to a trampoline park.
Congratulations to the Tidal Wave for finishing 5th at the Championship tournament. The team players were presented their undefeated league soccer medal by Coach Ted Devito at the team's dinner.
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Big Bear Valley Hit Hard By Covid-19 |
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Is the City doing enough to protect its full-time residents during the COVID pandemic?
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Big Bear Valley Has 39 Known Deaths From Covid-19
Scheduled City Council Meeting Canceled Due To COVID
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According to recent reports, as of December 2021, there are now 39 confirmed Covid-19 deaths of our Big Bear Lake neighbors. The actual death numbers are believed to be much higher given the lag time in reporting and other factors. On average, our community has suffered 2 confirmed deaths a month since March 2020. Despite rosy reports, a review of raw statistical data shows Big Bear Lake's death and infection rates exceed that of other communities. Over that last two months, Big Bear Lake has averaged between 3 - 7 new confirmed cases a day, which places our residents in the moderate to substantial risk category. It is known that many cases go unreported, so our local numbers are likely much higher. The City Council meeting set for January 3, 2022 was canceled due to COVID spread. |
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A number of local businesses have had to shut down or limit their operations due to COVID outbreaks, including our City Water Department. Our Bear Valley Fire Department has been rocked by COVID infection and exposure as well, resulting in the need for staff shifting and substantial overtime allocation to maintain our public safety. Our local CVS pharmacy shelves were left bare this weekend as an influx of tourists visited our community.
In coordination with San Bernardino County, vaccination clinics and free distribution of COVID testing kits are being planned. If you would like more information, please email Councilman Alan Lee.
If you would like to monitor Big Bear Valley COVID reports, outbreak information or to review local COVID data click here.
Photo Credit: Melissa Spillman
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About Councilman Alan Lee: |
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Of all the 24 incorporated cities within San Bernardino County conducting local elections in November 2020, Alan's Big Bear Lake City Council District had the largest voter turnout, with over 90% of eligible voters participating. Despite political insiders, power brokers and pundits giving him no chance to win, Alan soundly defeated his handpicked opponent with over 61% of the vote.
Since being elected, Alan has stayed true to his community and is one of Big Bear Valley's most active and engaged political leaders.
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