12 City Council (09/08/03) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular City Council Meeting September 8, 2003 Page 10 last year, but times are tough and they are tough for everyone involved. Mr. Allen said that they are asking the Council to do what is fair for all the employees. He said he is one of the ones that does not make $25,000.00 a year. He advised that he has four kids, one that has asthma and he also has epilepsy. If they cut his benefits, they would end up hurting his family and he is asking the Council to please not do that. Mr. Allen advised there are a lot of employees in the same situation that he is in that make less money than he does. He said being a single dad, he has to work this j ob and a part-time j ob and schedule that around his children. Mr. Allen explained that it is not the money, it is the benefits that is needed for the employees. Danny Huff, a Sargent with the Paris Police Department, appeared before the Council, stating that he is a 24 year veteran with the City of Paris. He stated that he would like to clarify whether or not there will be public comments at the end of tonight's meeting. Mayor Fendley advised that it is not on the agenda, but he would be more than happy to open it back up. Mr. Huff said that one of the things that was spoken of at the last meeting was concern for rumors and speculations and, perhaps they could put the city employees at ease on some of the issues. Mr. Huff said that some of the Council Members that he has had the opportunity to speak with has indicated that the reduction in the employee benefits through insurance and pension is a result of the Council's intent to increase the salary to 3.4 or to a higher rate for this year. Some of the other Council Members had indicated, and some of the rumors are, that the reduction in the employees benefits through insurance cost and the reduction of the pay increase of 3.4 down and any other changes would be the City Council's plans to revert that money over to the Fire Department group for three additional firefighters and salary restructure. He did not think that the employees were clear on what the City Council is going to do. Councilman Guest advised that the firemen issue, as far as overtime, is a separate issue. He said what they were looking at is how to eliminate two or three hundred thousand dollars in overtime, and the question was, if they added three firemen, would that eliminate a portion of the overtime.