MOUNT VERNON – Late documents, changing numbers and conflicting stories kept the Mount Vernon City Council from approving legislation on Dec. 27 that would have given a one-time bonus to the city’s nonbargaining employees.
The second draft of the legislation, presented on Monday, proposed a $500 bonus for 35 workers who fit that designation.
“I know we've discussed in the past ... this is a good chunk of money is coming out of the city's pocket,” said Councilmember John Francis. “It's not COVID relief funds, and we're getting the legislation the day of the meeting. And I know we've all discussed that is not right.”
The thought behind the legislation was to retroactively apply a proposed 2.5% pay increase for the 35 nonbargaining employees, Safety-Services Director Rick Dzik said. He called it a one-time lump sum payment because these employees had no pay increase this year.
The total cost of the one-time bonus would be $17,500.
“I would rather forego this and work on making it up to them in a raise for next year,” said Councilmember Tammy Woods. “I understand that there was no increase this year, for whatever reason, while we're waiting on the study, or COVID, or whatever the reason. We can make it up to them in salary that sticks rather than a one-time payment.”
She preferred using the $17,500 toward those raises.
Listening to city administration explanations for increased pay and a one-time payment for some bargaining employees gave her pause. She said one-time payments always worry her.
“It's not fair based on where all the salaries are,” Woods said. “It's not an even distribution. I would rather affect their salary for the work they did.”
Francis called out the fact that the information in the original draft legislation was available 10 days before the meeting but was not presented to council until Dec. 13. And the legislation was changed again and given to council Monday.
“I will not stop remarking on this that it is unacceptable to give us legislation the same night that we are doing our business, especially if it changes up the money,” he said.
He moved to approve the original draft of Dec. 13 that included only 13 employees, giving the council the opportunity to vote it down.
Councilmember Mike Hillier voted no as he said he was confused over the legislation, though he is concerned for the employees who work hard for the city.
“I heard two different reasons why we're doing this,” he said. “One because they worked through COVID. One’s to adjust the wages. I have to walk out here and tell the taxpayers why I voted. And I have to understand it's their money I'm spending.”
He said he had to vote no, but he hopes the issue of adjusting pay comes back next year.
