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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-26-94 Personnel & Finance f• f (tommittts sport: Personnel and Finance Committee go the Common E ountiU of the City of South *nb: The September 26, 1994 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Sean Coleman at 5:40 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Washington, Luecke, Kelly, Puzzello, Coleman, Slavinskas, Zakrzewski, Duda, and Ladewski; Jeff Rinard, William Eagan, Kevin Horton,Don Porter, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Coleman noted that there are four Bills directly related to each other needing further review and recommendation from the committee,namely Bill No. 82-94- an Ordinance leveling Taxes and fixing the rate of taxation for 1995. Bill No. 83-94- an Ordinance appropriating moneies and defraying expenses for 1995. Bill No. 84-94- an Ordinance defraying expenses for enterprise funds for 1995. Bill No. 85-94- a Bill making technical amendments regarding salaries for 1995. Mr. Horton noted that in the next week he would be providing an executive summary of the 1995 budget. Mr. Horton further noted that the total increase of all other departments except for Fire and Police with regard to their budgets increased by approximately $100,000.00. The Park Department has increased but include revenue programs which were not formally included in the past. Following discussion, Council Member Luecke, made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ladewski, that Bill No. 82-94 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then focused on substitute Bill No. 85-94(copy attached)which the Mayor filed with the City Clerk's office on September 23, 1994. Council Member Zakrzewski voiced concern and disappointment the that Fire Chief was not proposed at the same salary rate as the Police Chief. He stated that Chief Taylor has handled the Department well and considering the similar size of the Department and the similar budgetary amounts that he does not understand the discrepancy in salaries paid. Council Member Washington also voiced concern with regard to the discrepancy of pay. It was noted that the difference today is $600.00 but the proposed amounts by the Mayor make the amounts substantially higher. Council Member Washington stated that if the Mayor is unwilling to increase the Fire Chief salary that the Council should consider reducing the Police Chief salary and do what is necessary to bring fairness. Council Member Coleman voiced concern in light of the potential ripple effect to the other rank and file members in light of the negotiated contracts. s 1 Personnel and Finance Committee Committee report September 26, 1994 Page 2 Council Member Duda stated that the Council should keep in mind that both Chiefs are appointed by the Mayor. Council Member Ladewski noted that of the 15 first and second class Cities in the state of Indiana the Fire and Police Chiefs are paid the same amounts except for the Cities of South Bend and Michigan City. The Council Attorney noted that the City Council by state law at this time can only reduce salaries and cannot increase salaries and that increases can only be requested by the City Administration. Council Member Zakrzewski stated that he would prefer that the Mayor increase the Fire Chiefs salary and make it as part of the formal proposal to the Council. Mr. William Egan, the Citizen Member of the Committee stated that perhaps the Council should consider that either the Chiefs salary be increased or all other salaries proposed in substitute Bill No. 85-94 be reduced. Mr. Rinard stated that he did not have discussions with regard to the actual amounts proposed by the Mayor. Council President Puzzello stated that she did discuss these items with the Mayor and that she voiced strong concern with regard to parity among the positions. The Council Attorney recommended that since Bill No. 84-94 dealing with enterprise funds would not be affected by the current discussions on salary that perhaps the Committee should dispose of that Bill by a proper recommendation. Council Member Ladewski made a motion, seconded by Council Member Zakrzewski that amended Bill No. 84-94 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee than continued discussion of substitute Bill No. 85-94. Council Member Zakrzewski voiced concern with regard to the proposed salary for the City Engineer. Council Member Slavinskas stated that either the City Council is going to fight for the same pay or their not as a matter of principal. Council Member Duda stated that the Fire Chief is losing money. Council Member Luecke stated that parity may be a consideration and that perhaps both Chiefs should be left as they are since their salaries have been previously set by separate Ordinances. Council Member Coleman stressed that neither Chief is losing and that if the City Council did not accept the Mayor's recommendation that they would both receive increases based on past Ordinances approved by the City Council. Council Member Zakrzewski stated that he believes that both jobs deserve equal pay. 1 Personnel and Finance Committee Committee Report September 26, 1994 Page 3 Council member Zakrzewski stated that the Police Chief in 1995 should receive a salary of $45, 370.00 and in 1996 the salary of $47, 400.00 and that both Bills be amended to reflect these amounts. Accordingly, Council Member Zakrzewski made a motion on Bill Nos. 83-95 and 85-94 as amended that they go favorably to the full Council. Council Member Ladewski seconded the motion. The motion passed by a 4 to 1 vote with Council Members Zakrzewski,Ladewski, and Luecke in the majority along with Citizen Member William Egan and Council Member Coleman in the minority. There being no further business to come before the Committee the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 P.M. Respectively submitted, Sean Coleman, Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee Attachments SC:KCF:ds