Inglewood continues hiring despite revenue shortfall

Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. continues to add high paying positions to the city’s administration department despite the city’s projected $9.8 million revenue shortfall.  The city’s human resources department has opened two positions on the 9th floor seeking a senior assistant to the mayor and senior administrative analyst.  Because of the city’s shortfall, all bargaining units are being asked to forgo raises, as the finance department seeks to stabilize the city’s finances with a $10 million line of credit.

Related: Letter to the Editor: Inglewood mayor is hiring a new assistant

With the retirement of former District 4 Councilman Ralph Franklin, his former liaison, Claudette Matthews, has found herself a new position as Senior Administrative Analyst.  The recruitment flyer for the positions lists the closing filing date as January 26, however, a staff report requesting a $25,000 reward for information related to the death of Andrew Summerfield, lists Matthews as already being in the position.  It is unclear if this is in violation of the city’s civil service rules as the position is listed as “promotional” and council liaisons are not civil service protected positions.

According to Transparent California, Matthews 2019 salary was $80,106, which exceeded Franklin’s $60,660 council salary.  The new position has a salary range of $5,927-$8,396 per month.

Does Matthews have first hand knowledge of the relationship between Mayor Butts, McDade, and any other woman in city hall, which could cause problems for his upcoming 2022 re-election?

Mayor Butts isn’t above using city funds to silence his perceived enemies.  Is Ms. Matthews new position a gift of public funds?