City Hall Staff Impervious to Recession Austerity
ByRecently, I have gotten email regarding the proposed salary increases from several people. Each one of them outraged, fed up, and frustrated. To that all I can say is, “meh.”
Isn’t this what we talk about every November?
To summarize for those who may have been in a coma, the city of DuPont is proposing pay increases for the non-represented staff at City Hall. Yes, that city hall where we cannot afford to meet our debt obligations.
I do not comment on the union negotiated raises because the city had their chance and this is the contract they agreed upon. Not that I like it, but it is what it is.
It is really a kick in the shorts to those who have not gotten a pay increase in the private sector, but it is particularly galling to those who work down in Olympia who have faced pay cuts and furloughs.
If you want to learn more, go to the South Puget Sound News and read their article on the matter.
Read the actual salaries here.
We have not had a deserved cost of living raise in 2 years. Where is the pride in the city employees and the desire to help with the shortfalls and not accept a raise right now. Why should they even be eligible for a raise when they produce very little. To get changes made in the city is like pulling teeth, they continue to do what they want and not what the citizens of DuPont want. How can you justify these payraises when you can’t pay the upcoming bill due on City Hall. Our priorities should be to pay our debts first. The “extra money” you seem to have for raises should go to paying down the debt. Don’t you dare come to the citizens of DuPont and ask them to sacrifice more and taxus to clean up your mess Nobody deserves an 11% payraise in this economy. SHAME ON YOU ALL.
Mike, can you tell me if any of the budget meetings that were held, (open to the public) ever gave specific details on the amount of each pay raises to be given to the staff?
I don’t know the details of the budget meetings. The firefighters and police are part of the negotiated contract so their raises were likely set at the end of last bargaining season. My greater concern is the raises for “staff” in City Hall. We now will have four staff members making in excess of $100,000/yr sans benefits.
Frankly, I am tired of writing about this shit. I went into detail in Nov. 2010 regarding pay raises at City Hall and the outrage. This year, nobody could be bothered to run for office against those who sit on council and make these horrible decisions year after year; and that includes building that stupid civic center for themselves.
Any property tax increase they bring I will heartily reject. Same with any bond request. With a caveat. The tax increase verbiage should read that if passed then all members of city government will resign and a special election would be held where they agree not to seek elected office. If they really love the city they will step aside and let someone new administer the money. It also forces all those sitting on the sidelines to put up and do better.
We are facing a new reality in DuPont where we are little more than rental community. REET money will not be a reliable revenue stream for years, if at all.
The city should be talking about 20% pay decreases across the board. Sure, some of the staff will still be overpaid, but it is a start.
The budget workshop meeting on Nov. 15 was the first that salaries were discussed. There wasn’t an explanation given on why step and longevity increases are still given even with the debt of the Civic Center playing out in front of them. The budget documents show which department eats up most of the general fund.
There will be a public hearing on the 2012 Budget at the Nov. 22. The property tax and ems levy’s will also be set at that meeting. DuPont has the second lowest property tax rate in Pierce County. Those documents can be found here: http://www.ci.dupont.wa.us/files/library/c5e43f0c6ec6a95c_o.pdf
And here (Nov. 22 agenda): http://dupont.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=10820
This first time the salary increases were discussed was this past Tuesday during a council workshop. There is a public hearing on Nov 22 during the next regular council meeting: http://dupont.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=10820
It’s time to speak up about this….now or never time. If not, the salary increases will be approved.
Geez…the TruGreen lawn care contract is $103,000 per year? The additional cost of the salary increases is about $140,000. I say, get rid of TruGreen, give staff the raises if they take on the lawn care duties. Just a suggestion…
Si Senor
Did anyone attend the cou ncil meeting last nights? What was the outcome of the pay raise debate?