08-19-01 Council Special Meeting Minutes

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SPECIAL MEETING AUGUST 19, 2001 There was no one else wishing to speak in opposition to this bill. In rebuttal, Mayor Luecke apologized if he was not clear in what he stated. In his initial presentation he referenced the $7,000.00 increase in the first class salary. In the first year, and this includes looking at the cash allowance as well as the salary, a $32,682.00 salary plus $2,200.00 cash allowance is a base pay of $34,882.00 which is $1,407.00 more than that base pay currently. In the second year the salary is $34,505.00 plus a $1,800.00 cash allowance for $36,304.00 which is $2,829.00 more than the level currently being received by a first class officer. In the third year it is a $4,500.00 increase over what is currently being received and in the fourth year it is $6,300.00. He noted that $15,000.00 is the total new dollars compared to the current compensation. Mayor Luecke stated that what they were looking at is the total dollars in the pay over that period of time by comparing them to the current level. Council Attorney Cekanski- Farrand read the three (3) technical corrections as follows: On Page 4 Paragraph "L ", Fifteen Thousand and 00 /100 Dollars should be struck and replaced with One Thousand Five Hundred and 00 /100 Dollars. In Paragraph "M" add the word "to" between continued and provide. On Page 5, Paragraph "R" the sentence should begin "A qualified Field Training Officer (FTO) shall" Those are the only changes of a technical nature. Councilmember Coleman made a motion to amend the second substitute version of this bill as read into the record by Council Attorney Cekanski - Farrand. Councilmember Kelly seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of seven (7) ayes and one (1) nay vote by Councilmember Kirsits. Councilmember Varner stated that the City wanted to make a significant improvement in the position of first class patrolman because there are a number of retirees who look to their pension as a substantial portion of their retirement income. This bill will add $8,600.00 to the pension base He stated that he wished the City could pay what New Albany paid but South Bend has a flat tax base and has the second highest property tax rates in the State of Indiana. This increase may not be what the police officers wanted but it is healthy. Councilmember Varner noted that looking into the future the City may have to look for additional sources of revenue. Beginning with the budget hearings next week the Council can look to make sure that those extra dollars will be there in the form of savings over the next three (3) years rather than having to look at some sort of change in the property tax rate. Councilmember Varner stated that the negotiating team did a wonderful j ob and he intends to support this bill. Councilmember Coleman urged the FOP membership to act favorably on the proposal that they will be reviewing. The proposal represents the City's continuing commitment to improve the base salaries of the police officers. This is an effort that was begun four (4) years ago when the contract increased the police officers salary over twenty- five per cent (25 %) which was the largest pay increase in at least twenty -five (25) years. This contract would increase wages by another twenty - three per cent (23 %) during the next four (4) years an increase of over $8,000.00 in the first class patrolman salary. It took from the mid 1970's to the mid 1990's for the City to fall as far behind in salary increases for the police department due in large measure to the community's inability to enact additional sources of revenue specifically the option taxes. Councilmember Coleman noted that all Councilmembers are committed to continuing to improve wages and working conditions for the police officers. The contract that the FOP members will consider this week has very substantial increases across all ranks and allows the City to address salaries fairly, responsibly and cooperatively. Councilmember Kirsits stated that he agrees with Councilmember Varner on the property tax issues. He noted that he does not believe the City's budget is destitute but thinks it is a matter of priorities. He further stated that he is embarrassed that the police pay is so low in this City and when he looks 1 U 1