Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the June 30, 2010, Auburn Journal.

If there’s one thing residents have been vocal about during the recession, it’s that state, county and local governments must rein in pay for public employees — especially top executives.

You wouldn’t know that from reading the just-released final report from the Placer County Grand Jury.

In an investigation titled “The Delicate Art of Setting Salaries,” the grand jury focused on the salaries and compensation for city and town managers. But rather than offer a set of recommendations to build better pay models, the probe simply reports facts and figures.

Report findings state the obvious. Or worse, state what’s been painfully obvious to taxpayers — top execs in some cities are paid well above the national average — without offering strong medicine for a change.

Ask anyone on Main Street whether the Rocklin City Council should be commended for paying retiring manager Carlos Urrutia $139,000 to work part time while collecting $170,000 in pension pay, and you’re likely to get an earful.

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