Christmas will come early for City of Auburn employees when they receive a one-time pay bonus on December 17 in recognition of their “dedication and commitment in saving thousands of dollars” during the past fiscal year. The city council discussed a $250 “across the board” bonus at the Nov. 18 and will sign a resolution to make the payments at the Dec. 2 meeting.
There was discussion, however, about $250 being too high or too low.
Longtime citizen watchdog John Nelms called the $250 “too little, too late — after taxes there won’t be much left.” He suggested a 2-2.5 percent across the board pay raise instead, saying, “that would show your commitment to the employees.”
Peggy Langley said she “had a problem with” the city’s one part-time employee, getting the same amount the 46 full-time employees were to get and proposed that the part-timer get “half.” That employee is downtown development coordinator Sherrie Miller.
City Administrator Ron Griffeth said “that particular part-time employee works 30 or more hours a week and is here all the time.”
Dorissa Shackelford suggested paying Miller “threefourths” in recognition of the 30 hours, “if this is going to be an issue.”
Griffeth said giving a 2.5 percent across the board raise to all employees would cost $50,000 and would not be as equitable as the across the board $250 because higher paid employees would receive more money.
He also said the supplements will cost the city $11,750 and are possible because the city spends 37 percent on personnel, which is “below the norm.” The cost has been “worked into the existing budget” and the supplements will come from each department’s regular employee and overtime accounts.
Mayor Linda Blechinger said city leaders “talked about this” early in the budget year and had hoped to make it happen, adding, “I am very happy to be able to do this for our employees.”
Auburn discusses bonuses for employees
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#1
retired and glad
on
12/01/10 at 12:18 AM
[Reply]
I been a goverment employee for many years. With raise's from 2 - 15 percent all my career. The 250 across the board is the best way to go.. The way the higer ups get the same amount as everybody else. It is fair to every employee working. Now the big wigs, with same different, because they aren't getting the bigger amounts. But let them complain.