(Posted May 28, 2015)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
London city department heads could get a one-time bonus this year and a 3 percent salary increase next year.
Originally, Mayor David Eades requested raises of up to 5 percent for the safety-service director, police chief, fire chief, parks and recreation director, tax director, street superintendent, water superintendent, sanitation department and administrative office manager. These positions are not covered by union contracts. Individuals in those positions have not received raises since 2012.
At their May 7 meeting, council members expressed concern about the suggested increase because, according to city auditor Katie Hensel, only half of the departments have enough funds budgeted to absorb a 3 percent increase this year, let alone 5 percent.
On May 21, council voted 5-1 to amend the proposal to instead grant a one-time $1,300 bonus to each department head on July 1 of this year, then institute a 3 percent raise starting Jan. 15, 2016. The bonus would apply to department heads who have worked for the city for at least the last 12 months. Councilman Dick Minner voted against the amendment.
The $1,300 amount is an average of what each department head would receive if given a 3 percent raise, said councilman Rex Castle. As a bonus, though, those funds are not pensionable, which saves the city money.
“This way we can give everybody something (this year),” Castle said.
The ordinance will be up for a third reading at the next council meeting, which is set for 6:30 p.m. June 4 in council chambers, 6 E. Second St.
Upcoming council committee meetings are as follows: safety-service, June 8 at 7 p.m. at the police department; public service, June 11 at 6 p.m. in council chambers; budget-finance, June 15 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
