Huntingburg Common Council attacks employee and elected official pay raise issue

September 1 – The Huntingburg Common Council grasped the prickly nettle of city employee salaries and wages tonight with Mayor Marvin Belcher stating, “In an election year it’s going to be a rough decision; regardless of what we decide.”

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The council discussed the wage issue for over 45 minutes, including a lengthy debate about merit increases for specific hourly employees and also whether or not elected officials should receive a pay increase.

In the end, the council merely introduced an ordinance that provides for a 2.5% wage increase for all city employees, including elected officials. The wage increase ordinance will be taken up again at the next common council meeting later this month. It can be approved as is or amended and approved. If not approved by the end of September, wages for city employees will remain the same for 2012.

First Precinct Councilman Glenn Kays was noticeably disturbed by the discussion of merit increases for specific city employees. “I know these (employees) do a great job, and they’re taking on additional responsibilities,” said Kays, “But the wages we’re talking about are getting way out of line compared to what is paid in the private sector.”

Kays and the other council members will now have time to consider the wage issue before taking it up again at their next meeting.

In other action taken by the council, a proposal for a new water/splash park presented by Park Board President Jeff Summers was approved. The proposal requested $150,000 to be allocated for the new park addition in the 2012 budget.

Mayor Belcher was given the authority to allocate the requested amount from three city funds that have all increased in value during the time of his administration. These three funds are the “rainy day fund,” the EDIT (Economic Development Income Tax) fund, and the “Riverboat Wagering Tax Fund”. The plans are to locate the new splash park adjacent to the city swimming pool in Huntingburg Park, but the exact location and details of operation will be determined later.

The council approved the purchase of a new truck for the utilities department at a cost of just over $45,000 and a rate plan for the use of city equipment and manpower by other city departments and outside entities prepared by Utilities Superintendent Tony Traylor was also approved.