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Special Meeting August 8, 2023 Page 2 Council Member Pilgrim asked questions about the I&S rate as related to the 2013 bond. Mr. Path explained that with restructuring of the 2013 bond and the decrease of interest rates, the City would be saving about one million dollars which would be used on the new wastewater plant project. Mr. Path spoke about cost of living raises of 2% for all employees, with an 8% increase for police officers in an effort to recruit and retain due to the shortage in that department. Mayor Pro -Tem Pankaj inquired about the competition. Police Chief Richard Salter said the competition was local, such as local school districts. He said it was a nationwide problem and expounded on the workload of Paris police officers. Mr. Path said his hope was that this increase would help attract and retain, but that the workload was a factor too. Council Member Savage said he had no problem with adding employees but said they would be asked why they could not find the money to retain employees but to hire new positions. Mr. Path explained the City had over 300 employees and adding the new positions was a drop in the book in comparison to giving over 300 employees a larger COLA. Council Member Norment inquired about how the street department was doing on staffing. Public Works Director M.A. Smith said they were 30% down. Council Member Norment asked if an increase in salaries would help retain employees in that department. Mr. Smith said it could not hurt. Council Member Pilgrim confirmed with Mr. Path that over the last few years there had been a deficit in the EMS Department. Mr. Path said over the last year changes had been made to help with that, which included adding Emergicon for billing and increasing the rates. Next, Mr. Path reviewed the revenue, property valuations, and expenditure summary including the capital outlay. Mayor Hughes said he appreciated Mr. Path and the staff for their hard work. He said he was very happy to be a part of this team, as did other Council Members. Mr. Path inquired if Council wished to have another special meeting and if not, he would plan to bring budget items for their consideration on the August 28 agenda. He reminded Council that they were working with deadlines and later it would be hard to change the budgets. Council Members did not request a special meeting. 4. Adjournment. There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member