In 2008, 86 employees of the Lansing Board of Water and Light had total earnings that exceeded their salaries by at least $30,000. The highest was $66,067. The average excess for those 86 employees was $40,115.

Another 375 employees' 2008 earnings exceeded their salaries by from $2,000 to $30,000. The average excess for that group was $11,937.

Here are 3 lists of BWL employees. Salaries for hourly workers were calculated by multiplying the hourly rate by 2080 (40 x 52):

1. Employees whose 2008 earnings exceeded their salaries by $2000 or more
2. All 727 employees, sorted alphabetically
3. All 727 employees, sorted by salary

Microsoft Word versions of these lists are also available:

1. Employees whose 2008 earnings exceeded their salaries by $2000 or more
2. All 727 employees, sorted alphabetically
3. All 727 employees, sorted by salary

Here also an Excel file with the raw data.

The salary/earnings data was provided by BWL in response to a Freedom of Information Act request I sent in May 2009 asking for the name, job description, current salary and total 2008 earnings for each BWL employee. I asked for electronic files, but got 2 separate paper documents, one with name, job description and salary or hourly rate as of 12/31/2008 and another with name and 2008 earnings. To produce the reports, I had to key in all the data on my computer.

An analysis of the data reveals these numbers:

There was a story about this in the Lansing City Pulse.

• Other employee benefits
• J. Peter Lark compensation
• BWL campaign contributions to mayor Bernero
• The July 2007 massacre
• Rate increases and BWL extravagance