CLEARLAKE — In its single item of action Thursday, the Clearlake City Council anonymously approved an employment contract for an interim director of finance services. The contract is for the employment of Sandra Sato through the Government Services Authority (GSA).
Interim City Administrator Bob Galusha said that the city will be contracting with GSA in the same manner it would hire a professional consultant for any professional service. Galusha said because the contract is through the GSA, Sato”s hours of employment will not be limited to those typically allowed to a retired employee.
Sato will be compensated $63 an hour. In addition, an overhead charge of $17.55 will be paid to the GSA for a total hourly rate of $80.55. “I know some of you in the audience might think that is high,” Galusha said. “It isn”t cheap but she”s very qualified.”
The overhead expense will include payroll costs, a Social Security (401a plan), worker”s compensation, unemployment and liability insurance. He said Sato will not charge for hours worked in excess of eight hours and will not charge for attending special meeting such as city council meetings.
The city is to pay up to a maximum of $77 per day for each night Sato stays in Clearlake. “Our contract is with GSA and they will bill us once a month based on the hours worked and the cost for overnight stays,” he said.
Galusha said that Sato”s preference is to work three days a week, which he said is compatible with the council”s current desires to maintain the position at part-time. He said assuming Sato works three days a week, the annual cost would be approximately 90 percent of the current budgeted funds for the position.
Sato retired form the City of Oakland in 2006 as the city”s Community and Economic Development Agency fiscal and administrative manager. Galusha said during Sato”s career, she also worked as the director of finance for the City of Oroville, town of Windsor and Suisun City. Since retiring she has been working for several agencies including the cities of Davis and Petaluma.
“I did a work reference check with both the city manager of Davis and Petaluma. Both city managers had very positive comments about Sandra”s performance at their respective cities,” Galusha said.
Sato is expected to begin employment on Wednesday.
