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Regular Council Meeting August 14, 2017 Page 3 Charles Whitley, 725 S.E.-38`h — he said he retired from the police department several years ago. Mr. Whitley said he came to the City to work because he loved Paris, although he could have gone some other place and made more money. He spoke in support of a COLA. Steve Dockray, 935 Bunker — he said he was with the police department for 37 'h years and spoke in support of a COLA. Faye Caviness, 235-35t` S.E. — she said her husband gave over 30 years to the police department and asked that they please consider a COLA. Tommy Haynes, 3095 Abbott — he said all of the retirees were concerned as they had not had a COLA in ten years. Mr. Haynes referenced an e-mail exchange dated August 3, 2012, between Maralene Rose and City Manager John Godwin about a COLA. Mr. Haynes asked City Council to consider giving retirees a COLA. Tiny Freelen, 804 -12th N.E. — he said he retired after 24 years in the traffic department, and asked that retirees be given a COLA. Janine Lauren, 1760 N.E. 34th — she said her taxes went up and she thought they were frozen, but learned only certain taxes. She said none of the retirees were getting 34% COLA to sustain the increase in expenses. Ms. Lauren said they needed to give a COLA or freeze taxes. Council Member Drake inquired of City Manager John Godwin if his reference of ad hoc meant a one-time raise and Mr. Godwin answered in the affirmative. Mr. Godwin said that a one-time raise would be a permanent cost to the City. She asked about discrepancy in the numbers and Mr. Godwin said it was the number provided to the City by TMRS and the number depended on several factors. Larry Schenk said what concerned the retirees was if this was not done now, the cost would progressively get more expensive and it would never get done. Council Member Drake asked if Council decided to give this one-time raise could it be taken away in the future and Mr. Godwin told her it could not. Council Member Knox confirmed with Mr. Godwin that the budget was balanced and then said she would like to consider doing something for retirees, possibly the one-time raise. Council Member Portugal asked if they could review this. Mr. Godwin informed City Council if they chose to give a one-time raise to retirees that they would have to cut something out of the budget. Council Member Drake asked about a timeframe and Mr. Godwin said he would be meeting with department heads this week and he could bring to them a list of items for them to look at. He said this did not meet the top of his list, because there were items that needed to be funded for operations of the City. Mayor Clifford said if the City had a lot of money he would be fine with giving a COLA, but that people were not guaranteed at the time they retired that they would continue getting a COLA. He said he was not sure they would have the money to do it. Council Member Knox asked if they could look again. Mr. Godwin said he could bring something to the Council on August 28 for review. A Motion to ask the city manager to look at finding the funds for a COLA raise for retirees was made by Council Member Portugal and seconded by Council Member Knox.