03/17/1992 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 3/17/92 Mayor Boyle commented that our estimated resources in 1992 are riot down. Our revenue sources and revenue dollars are up in 1992. The new income tax was in effect only nine months of 1991 as opposed to the entire year of 1992. The city did not borrow money for raises. We have borrowed money to correct flooding arx3. to fix streets. This was necessary because the residents could not be expected to wait until the city had saved the money to make these repairs. In addition, a small portion of the funds for these projects came from Issue 2 monies. The money that is borrowed goes into a specific fund; wages are paid out of the general fund. This city is doing things properly financially. Mr. McKay said he believed that anyone who was employed by the City of North Olmsted knows the range of pay that they are going to get before they start. He feels that raises of 25% to 35% should not be promised; indeed, in most businesses, a 10% raise is quite good. He specifically mentioned that city firefighters had not received raises in the 3516 bracket. Mayor Boyle agreed that the firefighters did not get a lOX raise; ha~ever, it should be noted that a captain in the Fire Department makes in excess of $4$,000. If a fire captain had been earning only $20,000 when the Mayor took office, he would have put in for a 100 raise for that individual. As an employer, the city has a duty to pay employees properly. Ile is endeavoring to adjust salaries of employees who have traditionally been underpaid for their positions. If the employees were being paid properly, they would rm7t be receiving lOX or 20~ raises. Using percentages to compare raises is a useful tool only when employees are at an even level. Mr. McKay commented that it had been mentioned that we are paying people for what they do, and he feels that paramedics and firefighters provide important services to our citizens. Mayor Boyle agreed and stated that the city is paying them for what they do. He is asking that other employees also be paid a fair wage for what they do. Mrs. Babas felt that the key words in this discussion should be "competitive wages" so that we can attract the best employees. When unions negotiate, they endeavor to insure that their members are competitive to like groups in other cities. That is what is being done with the employees in question who do not have the security of union negotiations to work on their behalf. We are trying to make them competitive and in proportion to their skills and knowledge. Mr. McKay commented that he felt every Council Member is responsible to his/her con- stituents; each Member should look very closely as to how he/she handles citizens' money. Mrs. Babas, representative to the Recreation Commission, reported: 1) Z1ze Recreation Commission met on Wednesday, March 10, to discuss appropriations. The Recreation Director has been asked to provide the Gomnission with more information on the monthly financial reports which will allow a sub-committee to evaluate the various programs as to their success, needs, and appropriateness of wages. 4