MINUTES
Elkton City Council
Special Meeting
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
7:00 PM
The Elkton City Council met in special session on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 with Mayor Nancy T. Camp presiding.
City Council members present: Doug Gibson; Eugene Jefferson; Danny Laster; David Powell; and Jimmy Scott.
City Council members absent: Cindy Sidebottom.
Others present: City Clerk/Treasurer Laura Brock; and, Police Chief Bruce Marklin.
Mayor Camp called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM and reminded the council it was a special called meeting and only the items on the agenda could be discussed.
Agenda
- Second Reading Ordinance 2007-12
Amending Compensation Plan to Allow Extra Compensation
- City Compensation and Classification Plan Review
Mayor Camp stated we would discuss item number two first because Chief Marklin had to leave to attend another function. Mayor Camp stated that she and Chief Marklin feel the City’s current compensation plan is out of line in comparison with surrounding areas and because of that, our police officers salaries are behind other departments. Chief Marklin reviewed average wages of police departments in surrounding areas. Clerk Brock stated that part of the problem is in the City’s compensation plan and pay scale. The pay grades for the positions in the police department need to be adjusted so that the starting wage is higher. Also, currently a Utility Department Maintenance Worker starts out at the same wage a Police Officer starts. Generally, looking at other city compensation plan, police Officers start out at a higher rate than utility department maintenance workers. Chief Marklin requested that all police officers get $1.00 per hour raise and that Sergeant Rodney Moberly get $1.25 per hour. Sergeant Moberly only received $.25 per hour raise when he was promoted to Sergeant last year. Clerk Brock explained that the additional raise would cost the City approximately $8,000 for the remaining budget year. Clerk Brock also recommended the compensation plan be amended by raising the pay grade of all positions in the police department by one step. After much discussion, Mr. Jefferson motioned to give all officers in the position of police officer and police chief a $1.00 per hour raise and Sergeant Rodney Moberly $1.25 per hour raise and implement the raise on a quarterly basis beginning January 1, 2008. Mr. Gibson seconded the motion. After more discussion, Mr. Jefferson amended his motion to say that all officer in the position of police officer and police chief receive a pay raise of $.50 per hour on January 1, 2008 and an additional $.50 per hour on July 1, 2008 and that Sergeant Rodney Moberly receive a pay raise of $.63 per hour raise effective January 1, 2008 and an additional $.62 per hour on July 1, 2008. Motion seconded by Mr. Gibson. Those voting in favor of the motion were Gibson, Jefferson and Powell. Those voting opposed were Scott and Laster. Motion carried. Clerk Brock will prepare an ordinance amending the budget for the salary increases and amending the pay grades on the compensation plan for next month.
Mayor Camp also stated there needs to be an adjustment made to the compensation plan at the position of Wastewater Plant Operator. Currently, there is no difference in pay grade between a Maintenance Worker II and Wastewater Plant Operator, even though it requires additional certification and more responsibilities. Also, when Chris Orr was appointed Wastewater Plant Operator he did not receive any raise in pay. After discussion, Mr. Laster motioned to give Chris Orr a pay raise of $1.25 per hour effective January 1, 2008. Motion seconded by Mr. Powell and carried unanimously.
Clerk Brock presented Resolution 2007-12, "RESOLUTION APPROVING BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR FY 2008 TO PERMIT BONUSES AND ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY APPOINTED CITY OFFICERS AND/OR EMPLOYEES." After discussion, Mr. Gibson motioned to adopt Resolution 2007-12 and seconded by Mr. Scott. Motion carried unanimously.
There being no further items on the agenda the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 PM.