Saline City Council approves 3 percent raises for staff members
Sixty-four Saline staff members will receive a cost of living salary increase of 3 percent for the next fiscal year. The Saline City Council approved the increase, which includes union employees as well as heads of departments, Monday at its regular meeting.
The council also approved merit bonus increases for those who have been at the maximum level within their salary range for at least one year.
David Rhoads
During the meeting, Council Member David Rhoads said he was concerned by the size of the increase.
“I’m a little alarmed,” he said. “There are a number of residents suffering job loss and foreclosure, and I’m not sure I can justify a 3 percent increase in the given economic climate.”
Mayor Gretchen Driskell said she understood his concern, but she said money for the raises is in the budget and employees have more to do because of staff cuts within the departments.
“There has been a staff reduction and an increased workload,” she said.
Rhoads said he would pay more attention to the discussion about the pay increases during the budget session next year.
“I don’t remember any in-depth discussion about it,” he said.
Council Member Glenn Law said that Saline has a good staff, and employees need to be paid what they deserve.
“A change (to not approve the increase) at this time is not prudent,” he said. “Three percent. I believe this staff deserves it.”
City Manager Todd Campbell said that four positions had been eliminated, while during the current fiscal year someone who retired was not replaced.
“We’ve made the necessary changes,” he said, adding that in the next two years, two more contracts would be coming up for review that may require adjustment.
“We try very hard to maintain the status quo,” said Campbell. He said that in the past, there had been significant adjustments to the staff’s health care benefits.
“They went to a high deductible, and made concessions for prescription drug purchase,” he said
Alana West is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Contact the news desk at 734-623-2530.
Comments
4x4Saline
Sat, Jun 26, 2010 : 1:30 p.m.
@ RTFM: In the City's defense, occasionally there is a glitch in the automated lighting system which is what occurred on that Sunday afternoon when you saw the parking lot lights on. During storm activity if the electricity is compromised, the generator kicks in thus over-riding the automated system. The glitch was immediately rectified the following Monday morning.
sellers
Wed, Jun 23, 2010 : 7:17 a.m.
At first I was shocked by the beginning, but you know, after reading this, I think they did it right. They added extra workload on people, and as a result have compensated the extras with a slight increase - which I'm sure their workload didn't increase by 3%, 6% (2x) or even 9% (3x). So, in essence, Saline got a good return on the investment -- short term. I do hope the City employees realize that the City does care about them and return the loyalty. Private employee centric employers do the same thing (can't site any) you just don't hear about it because it's not public knowledge, but could impact the price you pay for that good. What would be interesting to know is with the concessions that were made to benefits, how does the whole compensation add up? We are only seeing a slice of the picture here - and I'd be curious to know if overall they are still getting an effective compensation cut. - disclaimer - I live in Saline but know no one who works for the city personally.
SalineFan
Tue, Jun 22, 2010 : 6:39 p.m.
Thank you David Rhoads... you speak for me and probably many others in Saline. It is too bad our Mayor and the rest of the council doesn't see that. There are MANY (most) people who are working hard but aren't getting raises. If it is in the budget..... I would think we should save it for when we are under budget.
jim
Tue, Jun 22, 2010 : 5:48 p.m.
3% COLA and 1.4% MERIT. No, the story reads 3% and 3%. That is 6% increase total. Most jobs are taking decreases in pay. Is there anyone running Saline besides the people getting the taxpayers money. i agree with rhoads for mayor. saline is going to suffer someday while the staff is in florida continuing to use taxpayers money by the time someone figures it out. wheres management. whos running that place. the 4 layoffs were a way to sacrifice the working employees while managers continue to get the raises. those people running that town should be ashamed. THE GOLDEN GOVERMENT PARACHUTE is running in saline.
SMAIVE
Tue, Jun 22, 2010 : 12:46 p.m.
So not only a 3% COLA, but also a 1.4% merit pool for non bargained staff. Overall salary only increase 4.4%. CPI was 2.0% as of May. By the way, 1.4% is an average, those additional dollars were spread across a much smaller base, probably providing a few with 6-8% overall increases. Nice work if you can get. Amazing how a position which could generate revenue and enforce the city ordinances was eliminated so a few could enjoy a nice hefty raise this year.
Greggy_D
Tue, Jun 22, 2010 : 11:36 a.m.
Must be nice since I haven't had an increase in over three years now. But yet, the price of everything else in this country continues to skyrocket. I end up further behind every year.
Dakotawoman1
Tue, Jun 22, 2010 : 11:28 a.m.
Vote David Rhoads next Mayor of Saline! He's obviously the only one who "gets it"
janet
Tue, Jun 22, 2010 : 11:19 a.m.
what kind of money do these people make with the double increases?? does saline have that much extra money??
RTFM
Tue, Jun 22, 2010 : 9:21 a.m.
Dear City of Saline Tax payers, Why does the City of Saline seem to think that lighting the outside lights of the Saline Public Works Department located on Teft Ct. in the middle of the day a good idea? Parking lot, building side lights were all on Sunday afternoon on 6-20-2010 at 4 PM. If you are going to wast tax payer's funds this way, then you should not get a raise.