SPARKS – Sparks City Council members have filled out their forms and agreed to salary cuts aimed at helping the city weather its current economic storm.

Sparks must find about $4.9 million to cut in the 2010 and 2011 budget years after tax revenues came in significantly lower than expected.

According to city staff reports, the council must cut more than $27,500 from its members' paychecks.

The council's cuts must be at least 7.5 percent of their allowable, uncut salary. Currently, council members are making less than they are statutorily entitled to. The lower salaries are a result of previous voluntary salary reductions.

The increased amount that council members are statutorily entitled to is a result of annual 4 percent cost of living increase. Council members have agreed to put off the 4 percent annual raises for several years.

A city council member is entitled to $46,938 per year in fiscal year 2010, according to Nevada Revised Statute. Most council members are making a reduced salary of about $41,728 per year.

Councilman Mike Carrigan is earning $45,133 per year, according to a spreadsheet provided by city spokesman Adam Mayberry. This increased salary is because Carrigan gave up many of his city medical benefits, which totaled the amount the other council members cut from their checks.

Mayor Geno Martini is entitled to make $58,672 per year according to Nevada statute. However, he is currently earning $52,160 per year, according to Mayberry.

Each city staff member, both full and part time, have been asked to cut 7.5 percent from their 2010-2011 salary. The cuts would continue through the 2011-2012 fiscal year when employees will be asked to cut an additional 7.5 percent from their paychecks. This would mean that city employees will be making 15 percent less in 2012 than they were making when they were hired.

Under the worst case scenario, if no employees whatsoever agree to the cuts, up to 50 people would lose their jobs, according to Mayberry.

A final snapshot of the budget numbers is due to the City Council Monday at an 8:30 a.m. budget workshop.

What Each Council Member Will Be Making in Fiscal Year 2010-2011

Mayor Geno Martini will be taking his scheduled gross salary for 2010-2011, which is $58,889. From that, he will carve out 15 percent through a combination of salary reductions and by paying a portion of his own medical coverage. Martini will take home a total of $47,851 in fiscal year 2010-2011.

Julia Ratti will reduce her scheduled gross salary of $47,119 by 14.8 percent. To arrive at 14.8 percent, Ratti waived her cost of living increases for fiscal year 2010 and 2011. Then, she subtracted 7.5 percent from her 2009 salary. Her fiscal year 2011 salary level will be $40,145. Ratti also declined to accept an executive physical valued at $2,000.

Phil Salerno gave up 7.5 percent of his wages, as well as the years of cost of living increases he had coming his way. Salerno will make about $38,598, plus medical benefits.

Ron Smith did not return calls or an e-mail for comment as of press time.

Mike Carrigan waived all his medical benefits, which equal $12,480 per year or about 30 percent of his yearly salary. Carrigan will be earning less than $46,938 per year, which is his entitled full amount before the reduction of health benefits.

Ron Schmitt waived his previous two years of cost of living increases. This means he will be making about $43,396, which could or could not include health benefits.

All numbers are accounts from city council members and have not been verified with the Sparks human resources department.