10-24-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 24. 2016 Jim Szucs, 2405 East Edison South Bend, stated he recommends this be approved by the Council. No one from the public spoke in opposition to the bill. Councilmember Karen White made a motion to send Substitute Bill 61 -16 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. 63 -16 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE FIXING MAXIMUM SALARIES AND WAGES OF APPOINTED OFFICERS AND NON - BARGAINING EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2017 Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to accept Substitute Bill 63 -16. Councilmember Karen White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember Karen White, Chair of the Personnel and Finance Committee, reported that they met and send this bill forward with a favorable recommendation. John Murphy, City Controller with offices on the 12th Floor of the County -City Building, this bill fixes maximum salaries and wages of appointed and non - bargaining employees for the City of South Bend for 2017. The bill mandates a two percent (2 %) increase for every position as a minimum and there are certain positions that are different from that. It is important to realize this sets maximum salaries, it has been the procedure in many cases to not receive the maximum. The actual pay of an employee will be based on performance and job productivity. This bill is fully funded in the budget as are the Police and Teamster ordinances. As far as the full budget goes, we are fully balanced with respect to our operating funds which is the first time in several years where we can say that we are. Mr. Murphy stated that Mayor Buttigieg laid out some reasons for the salary ordinance, one (1) being internal and external equity which is important. We are not a bargaining group, but we want to provide an ordinance that is equitable across the board. He stated he would be happy to answer any of the questions the Council may have. Councilmember Regina Williams- Preston asked if this was the bill where we are increasing the salaries for the minimum wage workers to $10.10. Mr. Murphy responded no, that is not included in this budget. It is already factored into the budget. When you vote on the budget, you will be voting on the $10.10 minimum wage. Councilmember Davis stated it is clear that some of the salaries are being reimbursed through TIF dollars. He asked Mr. Murphy to explain that. Mr. Murphy responded that the Council should have received a memo from our Legal Department regarding the use of TIF for professional services. There are certain positions that relate to redevelopment activities which will be reimbursed through TIF. That is a good way to help the Civil City balance its budget. Councilmember Davis asked if he sees us doing that more so in the future. Mr. Murphy stated he would hope so and it would make a lot of sense when we were able to do it. Councilmember Davis stated based on the Teamsters and the Police being content with their two percent (2 %) raise and the perks that they had built it in, they thought they were able to retain top talent. He stated the reason he asked those questions is that it has been shared by the Administration that this goal is to find and recruit top talent and that is the justification for some of these ten percent (10 %) to twenty percent (20 %) raises. Even a slight name change and everything else is based on that and it is said in order for us to get all of these talented people and keep them here we have to give these big raises. He asked Mr. Murphy to explain why in his opinion the Police and Teamsters were able to retain talent with two percent (2 %) and perks but the Administration feels like they cannot obtain and recruit and have longevity of their top talent 11