Q) Why does the GM keep moving jobs every couple of years?
A) Pinkerton’s Resume shows that he spent 13 years at Stockton and subsequently, less than three years at Manteca and less than three years at Davis. Rather than speculate, we recommend you contact Steve Pinkerton directly at 775-832-1206 or sjp@ivgid.org and ask him.
Q) Why isn’t the GM here and why are we renegotiating his severance package after a few months?
A) Our Community Sponsored Forum provided an open invitation for everyone in our Community to attend. We don’t know why General Manager Pinkerton chose not to participate. As to the proposal on his employment contract which includes a salary and benefit increase as well as changes to clauses related to his resignation or termination, it seems rather ill-timed to us. The GM originally had a two year contract with an option for three more years. The option required the Board to provide six months advance notice and in August of last year, the GM contract was extended taking effect this past April. Although General Manager Pinkerton earns more than Governor Sandoval and Attorney General Laxalt and a number of other high ranking Nevada government officials, he considers himself vastly underpaid. He has asked for a raise and additional contract termination provisions which could be classified as a golden parachute.
The General Manager’s request for additional compensation and severance benefits was placed on the September 13th Board Meeting Agenda by Chair Wong. At that meeting, Legal Counsel Guinasso acknowledged that he was responsible for writing the new clauses for Pinkerton’s golden parachute. Counsel Guinasso took exception to any objections from Trustees on these changes and stated that he had found them on a website showing employment contract provisions for municipal employees. After considerable Trustee discussion opposing these new terms, Pinkerton withdrew this part of his request. However, Chair Wong and Trustees Morris and Horan voted to approve Pinkerton’s salary and benefit increase. Trustees Callicrate and Dent voted NO.
Q) Why is the General Manager still employed given the fact operating expenses have grown?
A) Considering that Chair Wong and Trustees Horan and Morris just voted to give him a raise, one might conclude that their standards for job performance do not consider his extravagant spending habits any cause for concern.