CORRESPONDENCES FROM THE PUBLIC
City Council Regular Meeting
October 28, 2025
DISCUSSION ITEM
D1 - City Manager Employment
Agreement
1 From: AshurShlemon
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 11:52 AM
To: Jill Gayaldo; David Bass; Ken Broadway; Bill Halldin; Greg Janda; Public Comments Cc: Haley Reid
Subject: Public Comment - Protest Regarding City Manager Employment Agreement Dear Mayor Gayaldo and Members of the City Council,
I am writing to formally protest the proposed City Manager Employment Agreement with Alexandra Zimmermann, scheduled for approval on October 28, 2025. The terms of this agreement are outrageous and represent a clear misuse of taxpayer funds.
This contract sets a base salary of $274,005, includes automatic cost-of-living increases, annual raises of 3.5%, a $6,000 annual car and cell phone allowance, six months’ severance pay, and City-funded deferred compensation of $13,000 in 2025 and $20,000 annually thereafter. These benefits go far beyond what is offered to other City employees.
What’s especially concerning is that the City does not contribute to the deferred compensation plans of employees hired after 2012, following pension reform changes. For the City Manager alone to receive large annual deferred compensation contributions—on top of an already high salary, generous benefits, and a CalPERS pension—shows a clear lack of fairness, consistency, and fiscal restraint. Furthermore, the deferred compensation provision appears inconsistent with the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), raising serious compliance and ethical concerns.
This agreement is excessive, poorly aligned with fiscal responsibility, and sets a troubling precedent for city governance. In a time when public budgets are under pressure, approving such a contract sends the wrong message to residents who expect accountability and prudent management of their tax dollars.
I strongly urge the City Council to reconsider or reject this agreement and ensure that any executive compensation is reasonable, transparent, and fully compliant with state law, specifically California Code, Government Code - GOV § 16280. Please enter my comments into the public record and give them full consideration prior to final action.
Sincerely,
Ashur Shlemon
Rocklin, Ca. 95677
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