In 2008, there were 28 members of the public safety department who earned more than $100,000 in salary and benefits – 27 cops and one dispatcher/fire fighter.
The Independent requested the 2009 compensation figures for public safety personnel through a recent Freedom of Information Act request as a follow up – and figures released by the township clerk’s office show that 32 officers earned more than $100,000 in direct compensation and fringe benefits last year.
Also, those officers that take home township vehicles for personal use can add another $10,000 per year estimate to their fringe benefits to account for the vehicle use, maintenance, gasoline, car washes, and insurance.
In 2008, Marc Abdilla made the most of any township employee with $163,429.10 in direct compensation and fringe benefits. He referred to himself proudly in a township meeting last summer as “No. 1.”
But, in 2009, he dropped to No. 2, being surpassed in pay by Kenneth Floro, III, who took home at least $169,486.85 in direct pay and benefits. Floro was No. 2 in 2008.
The high pay for eight of the police officers is because they are also fire fighters and are paid a blended rate for their time on duty crew. One police officer makes $52 per hour for his duty crew work.
Floro’s base pay as a police officer is $53,354.57; Abdilla’s base pay is 55,887.16. Both are also fire fighters, which accounts for a lot of the extra money paid to them by the township.
There are 45 sworn police officers on the Van Buren Township Police Force and 31 made more than $100,000 in 2009. It would be simpler to list the names of the 14 officers who didn’t make $100,000 last year.