Newark’s Police Chief Gets Secret Pay Raise While Taxpayers Stay in the Dark

Mayor Hannon and his rubber-stamp council just handed Newark’s Police Chief a generous compensation package — and they did it with zero public scrutiny, zero cost analysis, and zero accountability to the taxpayers footing the bill.

On October 9, 2025, the Newark City Council unanimously approved “an amendment to the Compensation and Benefit Plan for Management, Supervisory, and Professional Employees updating the executive compensation for the Police Chief by incorporation of General Leave and retirement formula provisions.” Translation: another government executive just got richer while working families struggle with inflation.

Behind Closed Doors, Away from Public Eyes

Here’s how Newark’s political elite operates: They bury executive pay raises in bureaucratic language, rush them through unanimous votes, and provide minimal disclosure required only because state law forces their hand.

State law SB1436 required City Attorney Kokotaylo to give an “oral report summarizing the proposed revisions” — but those details weren’t included in the public minutes. What exactly did the Police Chief receive? How much will it cost taxpayers annually? How does this compare to similar positions in comparable cities?

The council didn’t bother to tell you. They gave you a bureaucratic summary and a unanimous vote from Mayor Hannon, Vice Mayor Little, and Council Members Jorgens, Grindall, and Catancio.

Enhanced Benefits While Residents Face Rising Costs

The ordinance specifically mentions “General Leave and retirement formula provisions” — government speak for more paid time off and a sweeter pension deal. While Newark families worry about grocery bills, gas prices, and property taxes, their elected officials are enhancing executive benefits packages.

Consider what “enhanced general leave” means in practice:

• More vacation days for a position that already enjoys generous time off
• Additional sick leave beyond what private sector workers receive
• Possible administrative leave provisions that essentially amount to paid time off

And “retirement formula provisions”? That’s code for a more generous pension calculation that will cost taxpayers for decades after this Police Chief retires.

The Unanimous Vote That Reveals Everything

When five elected officials unanimously agree to spend taxpayer money on executive compensation — without debate, without cost analysis, without public input — it tells you everything about their priorities.

Not one council member asked:

• How much will this cost annually?
• How does this compare to neighboring cities?
• What performance metrics justify this enhancement?
• Should we prioritize executive benefits over community services?

Instead, you got a motion from Vice Mayor Little, a second from Council Member Jorgens, and a unanimous 5-0 vote that prioritized government insider benefits over taxpayer concerns.

What Taxpayers Deserve to Know

Before enhancing any executive’s compensation package, Newark residents should receive:

Complete Financial Disclosure: The total annual cost of these enhancements, including long-term pension obligations.

Comparative Analysis: How Newark’s Police Chief compensation compares to similar positions in Fremont, Union City, and other Bay Area communities.

Performance Justification: What specific achievements or responsibilities warrant enhanced compensation.

Public Input Opportunity: Meaningful public hearings where taxpayers can voice concerns about spending priorities.

Instead, residents got a bureaucratic summary buried in meeting minutes and a unanimous vote from officials who seem more concerned with taking care of government insiders than protecting taxpayer interests.

The Pattern of Secrecy

This executive pay enhancement fits a troubling pattern in Newark’s governance. The same meeting included:

• A three-hour closed session with no public report
• Salary schedule amendments rushed through the consent calendar
• Contract amendments approved without cost analysis

When government officials consistently prioritize secrecy over transparency, they’re not protecting public interests — they’re protecting their own.

The Real Cost of Government Growth

Every enhanced benefit package for government executives represents money that can’t be spent on:

• Fixing neighborhood streets
• Improving public safety for residents
• Reducing fees and taxes on working families
• Supporting small businesses struggling with regulations

Newark’s council made their choice: They chose to enhance executive compensation over community priorities. They chose government insider benefits over taxpayer relief.

What Residents Can Do

Demand transparency. Ask Mayor Hannon, Vice Mayor Little, and Council Members Jorgens, Grindall, and Catancio to explain:

• The total annual cost of this compensation enhancement
• How they justify this spending while residents face economic challenges
• Why they voted unanimously without meaningful public input

Attend city council meetings. Ask tough questions during public comment. Hold these officials accountable for spending decisions made in your name with your money.

Because when government officials enhance executive pay packages behind closed doors, they’re not serving the public — they’re serving themselves.

The Police Chief’s enhanced compensation package may be legal, but it represents everything wrong with local government priorities: taking care of insiders while keeping taxpayers in the dark.

Sources: Newark City FINAL October 9 2025 minutes.pdf