NOTE: These figures include part-time and temporary employees, who comprise two-thirds of the city of Santa Clarita’s work force. See the more sensible numbers [here].

[KHTS] – The city of Santa Clarita has 970 employees, and the average wage comes out to approximately $31,000, according to the most recent data released by state Controller Jonathan Chiang.

Santa Clarita has trimmed its spending on wages by most measures, consistently over the last three years, according to 2012 figures.

Like many government entities, the amount paid out in retirement benefits has risen; however, it remains significantly lower than cities of comparable size, according to the state’s Public Pay website, which was updated in October.

The most recent data available shows individual pay, and the total amount of money paid to city of Santa Clarita employees in wages and benefits, has taken a dip since 2009.

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The city paid out more than $33,079,000 in employee wages four years ago at an average salary of $33,481; and that amount was $30,181,000 in 2012.

Santa Clarita officials also reportedly paid out $7,566,115 in retirement benefits for 2012, which was up from $6,697,377 in 2009.

The state’s website reports that Santa Clarita has 204,951 residents; Oxnard has 200,855 residents; and Glendale has 193,652 residents.

These cities were chosen as a basis of comparison for their comparable size and proximity to Santa Clarita.

In 2012, Glendale had 2,359 employees, and the average salary was slightly more than $66,300; Oxnard had 1,751 employees with an average salary of $48,209.

Santa Clarita spent $147 per resident on city employee wages, and also had one city employee for every 211 residents. Oxnard spent $420 per resident, and had one employee for every 115 residents; while Glendale spent $808, and has one employee for every 82 residents.

The five highest paid employees based on the information on the Public Pay website is the city manager, the assistant city manager, the director of the Public Works Department, the director of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and the human resources manager.

One factor that keeps the cost lower for Santa Clarita is the fact that it’s a contract city.

While Oxnard and Glendale have their own full-time police and fire departments, Santa Clarita contracts these services with Los Angeles County.

For 2013-14, the Glendale Police Department has a projected budget of $76,042,090; the city of Santa Clarita budgeted approximately $22 million for its contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to operate the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.