Query on pensions rejected by StanCERA board

The Stanislaus County Employees' Retirement Association has rejected another request seeking information about public service retirees getting more than $100,000 a year in pension.

In a closed session Wednesday, the board voted 6-3 to turn down the public records request from the California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility of Sacramento, which has published reports on the rising costs of taxpayer-funded retirement benefits for public service employees.

Board members Maria De Anda, Mike Fisher, Darin Gharat, Wes Hall, Clarence Willmon and Ron Martin voted to deny the request; Gordon Ford, Mike Lynch and James DeMartini dissented.

Marcia Fritz, the foundation's vice president, said Thursday the group is considering filing a lawsuit to force StanCERA to release the records.

Administrator Tom Watson rejected a previous request from the foundation seeking the names of top pensioners, but it asked for the records again based on a Contra Costa County Superior Court decision last month.

StanCERA, representing employees of Stanislaus County, Ceres, and other agencies, rejected a Modesto Bee request for pension records July 28.

— Ken Carlson