Council candidates on pensions: Muhammad Zaman

Muhammad Zaman, management consultant

QUESTION: The city is faced with increasing salaries and pension costs for retired employees. What do you think needs to be done in order to make salaries and pension costs affordable?

ANSWER: I would address this deficit as aggressively as possible keeping legal issues in mind. All contracts will be on the table for negotiation. That will include the contracts made under the previous city manager. I will review the current employment situation and review all jobs to find necessity and feasibility of continuing that position. Some positions will be set for elimination through attrition. On the other hand I will review overtime payments for various positions and review if hiring additional staff with that budget will make sense. The laid off employees will get priority to be considered. I will review the employee contributions towards medical and pension benefits and will bring them to industry standard. I will be very supportive of the welfare of current employees as they are the back bone for managing the city businesses effectively and efficiently and maintain law and order in our Upland.