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Proposed pay increases come under fire
By WAYNE AYERS
Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008 |
BELLEAIR BLUFFS – Proposed raises for firefighters and city staff during a tight budget year came under fire from city commissioners at the Aug. 11 workshop meeting.
The pay increases were included in a tentative budget that transfers more than $200,000 from the city’s reserves to pay anticipated expenses. All new public works projects have been canceled due to budget limitations.
The commission decided last month not to increase the millage rate. Declining property values will result in a predicted $214,000 revenue shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year.
The proposed budget has been reduced almost 3 percent from last year, City Clerk Debra Sullivan said. Public works Director Robert David said the reduction has been made with no loss of services for residents.
Commissioner Troy Krotz objected to proposed 5 percent pay increases for city employees and a 14.5 percent rise in public works executive salaries. He also opposed an increase of nearly $200,000 in fire department personnel services.
“I don’t agree with taking almost a fifth of a million dollars out of reserves just to fund raises,” Krotz said.
Holding raises to a 3 percent cost of living increase would save $100,000 – money that could be used for other purposes, Krotz claimed.
Commissioner Robert Russo also blasted the pay increases, saying, “When residents are fighting to keep their jobs, we are not going to take all of that revenue for salaries.”
Russo said many communities are cutting firefighters and city worker jobs due to the tight economy.
“When things were good, we gave 10 percent raises. When things are bad, we have to pull in our belts to make sure everybody has a job,” he said.
Fire Chief Patrick Competelli said the pay hikes were a one-time boost to get firefighter salaries in line with comparable departments. He said the fire budget has been lowered in other areas to compensate for the increases.
“This year is not the time to catch up,” Krotz replied.
Hefty increases were proposed for public works executives because new job descriptions were written.
“The raises are for added responsibilities,” David said.
David pointed out that the public works budget is down $300,000. All new projects, including curbing and drainage, have been canceled.
Russo told David, “Ain’t nobody getting a 14 percent raise, and if people don’t like it, it’s time for the highway.”
Sullivan said she hated to hear hurtful comments being made about the city employees.
“We are really working hard. I know you don’t think we are, but we are,” she said.
“We appreciate what you guys do,” Commissioner Hunt Brand assured Sullivan. He said times are tight, “but you have to pay for what you get.”
Spending priorities promise to be a continuing hotbed of contention as the commission moves toward adopting the final budget in September. Budget hearings are scheduled for Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m. and Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m.
User fees discussed to generate revenue
Seeking ways to bring additional revenue into the city, the commission debated the idea of charging fees for city services and benefits. The city does not currently charge any user fees to residents as other communities do, Mayor Chris Arbutine pointed out.
Utility taxes, user fees, and fire impact fees were discussed. As an example, the mayor said stormwater fees could be used to get money for drainage projects. Property taxes could possibly be eliminated if a fee system were adopted, he said.
Adoption of fees would require approval in a citizen referendum vote. City Attorney Thomas Trask said the city charter prohibits using fees to raise revenue, so a referendum vote would be required to remove that prohibition.
Proactive code enforcement working
The city’s new proactive approach to code violations is getting results, David said. The number of violations logged has soared from 30 to 97, and over half have already been resolved, he reported.
“(The city) has not received nearly as many complaint calls since we started doing this,” he said.
The new proactive code enforcement measures are more expensive and time-consuming, but worth the effort, David said. Violations include high grass, trash and debris, illegal banners and signs, and boats and trailers improperly parked.
City wants options open on annexation
Belleair Bluffs should have the right to annex unincorporated areas in its fire district, Arbutine said. That would include the Harbor Hills, Harbor Bluffs and Oakdale Manor neighborhoods, which are now administered by Pinellas County.
The discussion was prompted by a letter from the county that requires the city to take action within 60 days if they want to have the option of expanding their city limits. The commission authorized Trask to prepare a resolution to negotiate with the county on annexation issues.
Arbutine said he has heard from a lot of people in those areas that would like to be annexed, but the homeowners associations are opposed.
“We have hit a stone wall before,” he said.
Any annexation attempt by the city must be approved by the residents of the affected area.
In other news, it was announced that the popular breakfast restaurant on Sand Key, Maggie Mae’s, will open a second location on West Bay Drive. The eatery will move into the space formerly occupied by the Belleair Gourmet Deli.
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Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008
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