RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA – Councilman Jesse Petrilla says he will ask his council colleagues on Wednesday night to forgo benefits from their part-time position that if kept could accrue to more than $66,000 in a four-year term.

Petrilla, who joined the Rancho City Council in 2010 as the election’s highest vote-getter, said he thinks it’s inappropriate to ask city staff to cut back while council members are allowed monthly benefits for their part-time position totaling $1,378.47 in addition to a monthly stipend of $463.50. These benefits, if not used for the purposes of health insurance premiums, can be placed into a 457 retirement fund similar to a 401(k) totaling $66,166.56 in a four-year term, he said.

“The fact that we are asking others to cut back, while continuing to allow such benefits for ourselves, I believe is embarrassing,” said Petrilla, who also is a reserve in the Army National Guard. “Cutting back is just something everyone is having to do these days. I do not believe there is any way to justify padding retirement with taxpayers’ money for a part-time position.”

Petrilla said he and Mayor pro tem Steve Baric have voluntarily opted out of receiving all benefits. Petrilla said the council has an opportunity to begin the process of saving the taxpayers money by doing what is right, and ending the benefits once and for all.

Petrilla said better use of the money would direct it to law enforcement and restoring positions lost by deputies due to budget cuts.

“The only compensation I do not have a problem with members of the City Council receiving is the limited $463.50 a month stipend,” Petrilla said.

Since notice of Petrilla’s item on the agenda has come out, members of the community have begun sending comments to the city via email.

The meeting which starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 22112 El Paseo, is expected to draw lots of interest.