A set of proposed 2011 budget changes pitched by City Manager Matt Zimmerman Wednesday weren’t endorsed by the Emporia City Commission.
Echoing his campaign stance, Commissioner Bobbie Agler said he wants to see the city hold the line on expenses. Since the city has more control over expenses than revenue, he requested spending in 2011 be the same amount as 2010.
“I was totally against increasing the budget in the first place to have a $750,000 deficit,” Agler said in reference to his lone dissenting vote against adopting the 2011 budget last August. “What if we go with last year’s budget this year. Can we survive on that?”
Zimmerman said there are locked numbers of increased expenses every year, such as merit pay and health insurance.
“I don’t know if we can get by, I would have to see the impact,” Zimmerman said.
The commission spent two hours at a study session Wednesday morning talking about the budget.
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emporialifer (anonymous) says...
What exactly is 'merit pay'? Does Zimmerman realize that the rest of the world has seen pay freezes, no raises and possibly employee cuts to deal with smaller budgets? I realize it's not something anyone wants to do, but it has to be done.
All those people who aren't paying their fines ($100,000 worth) - what happens to them? Ever consider putting them to work to pay off that fine, so we could lower expenses elsewhere? I realize that would probably mean fewer hours for city employees, but let's get our money's worth out of them instead of just writing stuff off.
February 24, 2011 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lcountyvictim (anonymous) says...
lifer - I totally agree. It seems to be that government entities are about the only employers that are still giving raises. It's time they pull back from antiquated status quo of giving raises, and wake up to the stark reality that government is bankrupt.
COMMISSIONERS - FREEZE MERIT PAY INCREASES!
February 24, 2011 at 10:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I posted these comments on another thread ,
Since when is merit pay a locked number ?
Oh yeah, of course, I bet the Zim man was referring to his own " Locked, Merit Pay !
You know, to me common sense would dictate that " Merit Pay and cost of living, Increases " may just have to take a back seat for a while and everyone in the employ of the City may just have to do with the pay they are now receiving, until this economy improves and that includes Administrative Employees of the City as well, such as City Manager, Asst. City Manager and everyone in an Administrative or Foreman and laborer position, as well !!
Just in case anyone would like to know, oh, like the City Manager or City Commissioners, who seem to believe that Merit Pay is a " LOCKED IN " number or expense / expenditue !
The following addresses the issue of Merit Pay !!
Merit Pay
Merit pay, also known as pay-for-performance, is defined as a raise in pay based on a set of criteria set by the employer. This usually involves the employer conducting a review meeting with the employee to discuss the employee's work performance during a certain time period. Merit pay is a matter between an employer and an employee (or the employee's representative).
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require or address the issue of merit pay.
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/wages/me...
I believe this addresses the issue of Merit Pay being a standard thing or a Locked in number or necessary or a Locked In expense / expenditure !!
February 25, 2011 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )