Wednesday, December 12, 2012
SPRINGDALE — The City Council approved on Tuesday a 2013 budget with a substantial pay raise for city employees.
“This is the biggest raise since the economy tanked,” said Mayor Doug Sprouse. “It’s not where we need to get but it’s a lot closer.”
Springdale City Council
Actions On Items From The Agenda:
-Approved a lease agreement with the Arkansas Department of Correction on the armory to allow the expansion of the department’s work release program
-Approved a Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the city
-Approved an cooperative agreement with Benton County for hazardous materials response
-Approved condemnation proceedings on property located at 3320 S. 48th St. owned by Richard and Carol Lane for $708,000; on property located on the east side of 56th Street owned by 4&P LLC for $93,500
-Approved reserving $4 million from the city Capital Improvement Program fund for emergencies
-Approved rezoning 1.6 acres at 600 W. Sunset Ave., the armory building, owned by Springdale from general commercial to institutional; rezoning 172 acres south of Emma Avenue and west of Old Missouri Road, the Springdale Municipal Airport, owned by the Springdale Airport Commission, from multifamily residential, general commercial and light industrial to institutional.
-Approved using $16,000 drug forfeiture money to purchase 10 refurbished computers for patrol cars
-Re-appointed Philip Taldo as a Springdale representative to the Northwest Arkansas Airport Authority
-Approved the conditional use of a cell tower at 1844 Louisiana Place for AT&T Wireless
Source: Staff Report
The council voted down an additional pay increase for department heads. Kathy Jaycox, council member, proposed removing a cap of 6 percent for department heads. Sprouse’s original budget proposal included raises for department heads, many that rose above 6 percent.
Sprouse used a study by the Johanson Group to propose pay scales for full-time employees in 2013. The study didn’t include elected officials or part-time employees.
The council Finance Committee, in budget hearings, voted to limit the department heads to a 6 percent increase.
“Spending $15,624 would put us into a competitive position with other cities in the area,” Jaycox said. “This is not about what one person makes. It’s about being competitive in the market for the area.”
“It makes good business sense,” said Jannie Bibb, city resident. “If you paid for a study, you need to listen to it.”
Council members are elected to consider such information as studies but not blindly follow them, said Alderman Mike Overton.
The amendment was defeated 2-5, with Jaycox and Alderman Eric Ford voting for. Brad Bruns, Jeff Watson, Overton, Rick Evans and Jim Reed voting against. Alderman Bobby Stout was absent.
The budget includes policemen and firefighters receiving a 6 percent raise. Other employees would receive raises according to how far the Johanson study showed they were below the regional average for their positions.
The council revisions included a guaranteed minimum 4 percent raise for all employees. Those at the top of their pay range would get 4 percent, but not a bonus.
Elected officials, but not council members, would receive a 6 percent raise.
“Hopefully, we will continue to give raises as our revenues increase,” Sprouse said.
The revised budget projects general fund revenue at $30.99 million and expenses at $31.86 million. The difference — about $870,000 — would be made up from unreserved money in the general fund.
The estimated increase in unreserved general fund money from the start of 2012 to the end of the year is more than $600,000, according to Wyman Morgan, city director of administration and financial affairs.
The council also approved a conditional use that would allow Victory Church of Northwest Arkansas to relocate to Ozark Center Point Place, 5320 W. Sunset Ave., Suites 168 through 171. Those suites are located on the north end of the west side building in the shopping center.
Victory Church was forced to relocate after the city purchased its building by condemnation. Construction of the Interstate 540 interchange at Don Tyson Parkway will force the demolition of the building.