2002-142-RES EXPRESS POSITION OF CITY COUNCIL ON REFERENDUM BALLOT FOR PAY RAISE FOR FIREFIGHTERS
RESOLUTION NO. 2002-142
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
PARIS, TEXAS, EXPRESSING THE POSITION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
ON A REFERENDUM BALLOT FORA PAY RAISE FOR FIREFIGHTERS;
URGING PARTICIPATION IN SAID REFERENDUM BY ALL QUALIFIED
CITY VOTERS; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS
RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, a petition has been filed with the City of Paris pursuant to Sec. 141.034 of the
Local Government Code seeking pay raises for City of Paris firefighters; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Paris, Paris, Texas, has certified said petition
and called an election pursuant to law for consideration of the pay raises proposed; and,
WHEREAS, the City has analyzed said petition and finds and determines that the pay
referendum as proposed would result in a weighted average 24.07% pay raise increase per affected
firefighter; and,
WHEREAS, the pay raise proposal as presented and if implemented would result in
additional salary expenses beneficial only to firefighters of$507 ,627 .25, equivalent to an additional
$.05031 increase on the ad valorem tax rate; and,
WHEREAS, at the same time that the proposed pay raise would be implemented, the City
of Paris is faced with significant shortfalls in revenues from sales tax, franchise taxes, and other
sources, and at the same time is attempting to alleviate a severe space shortage in the Police and
Municipal Courts Building by funding the capital cost of purchasing and building a new Police and
Municipal Courts Building; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed pay raises for the firefighters are not only excessive and
unjustified, but are proposed at a time when the City of Paris financial situation already dictates
major adjustments in services or taxes; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council ofthe City of Paris has stated publicly and reaffirms its belief
that all employees of the City of Paris are important to the success ofthe services provided thereby,
and all employees are entitled to be treated as fairly and equitably as possible with regard to pay and
working conditions; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS,
TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby in all things
approved.
Section 2. That for the reasons stated herein, the City Council hereby expresses its
opposition to the pay plan proposal.
Section 3. That the City Council ofthe City of Paris hereby urges all registered voters ofthe
city of Paris to participate in the pay referendum by early voting or by voting on election day, the
same being Saturday, September 14, 2002.
Section 4. That this resolution shall be effective from and after its date of passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 5th day of September, 2002.
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ATTEST:
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Mattie Cunningham, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM: