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SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Councilmember Puzzello asked if there then would be no way to have a salary increase <br />for the rest of the non-bargaining employees. <br /> <br />Mr. Leone stated except for administratively based on two things. First based on the <br />maximums set in the ordinance that was passed a year ago for 2010 that would roll in <br />2011. So to the extent that there room to administratively bring salaries up and subject to <br />an appropriation during budget time that would allow those increases to be made <br />administratively. Mr. Leone stated that it was the administrations proposal to have a <br />uniform 1.5% increase across the board. With respect to an individual basis, there is <br />always some discretion on the part of the department head in terms of an employees <br />increase. For the most part those are in place, but from time to time where an employee <br />may be on a probationary status or may not have certain certifications in place just yet <br />and may have to wait to get those increases. So that has always been at the discretion of <br />the department head. So when the Council would pass an ordinance for example at 2%, <br />the department head would have some latitude with respect to giving that full 2%. <br /> <br />Council President Dieter asked what on average would the compensation increase be that <br />each employee would receive if in fact the Council would vote this bill down tonight? <br /> <br />Mr. Zientara stated that there are 410 non-bargaining full time employees in the City of <br />South Bend this 1.5% in compensation equal $254,000. The average compensation of a <br />non-bargaining person within the City just a total wage divided by the 410 is <br />approximately $38,000 a year. <br /> <br />Council President Dieter stated no that is not what he is asking. He stated that his <br />question is if the bill is not passed tonight what is the percentage of increase that the <br />employee would get? Is it 2%? <br /> <br />Mr. Zientara stated that it could be. He stated that the budget guideline that they had <br />given to the department head was 2%. When they put their budget together, then <br />theoretically the amount that is in the budget is 2% additionally wage over what people <br />earn in 2010. <br /> <br />Council President Dieter then stated theoretically if they vote this bill down tonight the <br />percentage would go from 1.5% to 2%. <br /> <br />Mr. Zientara stated that only if the administration would take that particular action. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kirsits stated that he was almost getting it and then got run off. He <br />stated that he sees three sets of numbers in the budget and they are all over the map. <br /> <br />Mr. Zientara stated that is the 2010 budgeted salary. He stated that what is difficult to <br />understand is that it is what they could have been paid but weren’t because the City said <br />they were going to freeze salaries in 2009. The administration did that to help offset the <br />negative impact of property tax caps. It was the contribution that the city was making. <br /> <br />Councilmember White questioned if the 2% given back to non-bargaining employees in <br />July of this year was reflected in the budget? <br /> <br />Mr. Zientara stated yes, but as he explained in the committee meeting this afternoon there <br />were caveats not all non-bargaining received that 2% mid-year increase. <br /> <br />Councilmember Rouse stated that if they don’t pass the 1½ % tonight the administration <br />still has $250,000 in the budget to administratively bring them up to the amount that the <br />administration wants to bring them to. <br /> <br />Mr. Zientara stated that the money is in the budget right now, but it is not yet approved <br />unless Council approves the budget with those monies in it. <br /> <br />Councilmember Henry Davis called the question. <br /> 10 <br /> <br />