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Business News
ARMA —
The Arma City Council has begun discussions over whether to give city employees a raise this year.
Mayor Buddy Bualle brought up the discussion after more than $20,000 in extra payroll funds became available following the departure of city manager Troy Graham and another city employee. The money would allow the council to save money it had budgeted for raise in 2013, Bualle said.
But council members could not agree on whether to provide raises based on a flat percentage, such as a three percent increase across the board — which would give a bigger raise to employees who make more money — or on a flat dollar amount, such as $.40 for each employee. Council member Dick Cleland said providing raises based on a percentage would be unfair.
“The guy on the bottom is never going to catch up,” he said, adding that he would be in favor of offering smaller, flat raises and using some of the money to purchase equipment.
But council members Rock Anderson and Ray Vail disagreed, saying equal raises would reduce the incentive for employees to work better or more efficiently. It also would not be fair, they said, to pay an employee who has been with the city for 20 years the same as a new employee.
“Where would be the incentive for an employee to work harder to move up to a better position?” Anderson said.
The council decided to table the issue until its next meeting on Dec. 17. In the meantime, council members will meet with various department heads and employees to try to come up with a solution.
The council also is seeking applications for the seat recently vacated by former mayor Chris Pommier, who resigned his post Nov. 19 to take a full-time job at St. Mary’s Colgan High School teaching freshman and sophomore history, as well as coaching on the junior high football and basketball teams. The process is the same as when the council appointed new member Ray Vail to replace longtime council member Don Zornes, who moved out of the county. Arma resident who are interested in the position should send a letter of interest, which should include reasons for interest in the position and personal qualifications, to Arma City Hall by Dec. 28. The council will appoint a new member, if a qualified candidate arises, at its Monday, Jan. 7 meeting.
Also Monday, Arma Police Chief Al Combs told the council that Arma Police, with help from special agents, was able to apprehend a federal fugitive who was reportedly hiding out in a residence within the city limits.
“We also found the remnants of a methamphetamine lab and what we believe to be finished product,” Combs said.
Bualle said he was glad the officers had been able to do their jobs well.
“It’s sad that it happened in our own local community,” Bualle said. “We like to think we’re immune to that, but we’re not.”
The Arma City Council has begun discussions over whether to give city employees a raise this year.
Mayor Buddy Bualle brought up the discussion after more than $20,000 in extra payroll funds became available following the departure of city manager Troy Graham and another city employee. The money would allow the council to save money it had budgeted for raise in 2013, Bualle said.
But council members could not agree on whether to provide raises based on a flat percentage, such as a three percent increase across the board — which would give a bigger raise to employees who make more money — or on a flat dollar amount, such as $.40 for each employee. Council member Dick Cleland said providing raises based on a percentage would be unfair.
“The guy on the bottom is never going to catch up,” he said, adding that he would be in favor of offering smaller, flat raises and using some of the money to purchase equipment.
But council members Rock Anderson and Ray Vail disagreed, saying equal raises would reduce the incentive for employees to work better or more efficiently. It also would not be fair, they said, to pay an employee who has been with the city for 20 years the same as a new employee.
“Where would be the incentive for an employee to work harder to move up to a better position?” Anderson said.
The council decided to table the issue until its next meeting on Dec. 17. In the meantime, council members will meet with various department heads and employees to try to come up with a solution.
The council also is seeking applications for the seat recently vacated by former mayor Chris Pommier, who resigned his post Nov. 19 to take a full-time job at St. Mary’s Colgan High School teaching freshman and sophomore history, as well as coaching on the junior high football and basketball teams. The process is the same as when the council appointed new member Ray Vail to replace longtime council member Don Zornes, who moved out of the county. Arma resident who are interested in the position should send a letter of interest, which should include reasons for interest in the position and personal qualifications, to Arma City Hall by Dec. 28. The council will appoint a new member, if a qualified candidate arises, at its Monday, Jan. 7 meeting.
Also Monday, Arma Police Chief Al Combs told the council that Arma Police, with help from special agents, was able to apprehend a federal fugitive who was reportedly hiding out in a residence within the city limits.
“We also found the remnants of a methamphetamine lab and what we believe to be finished product,” Combs said.
Bualle said he was glad the officers had been able to do their jobs well.
“It’s sad that it happened in our own local community,” Bualle said. “We like to think we’re immune to that, but we’re not.”
