SPRINGDALE — Mayor Doug Sprouse wants city employees to get raises next year.
Sprouse said he will suggest raises during a statement about the city’s upcoming bond election he plans to make at today’s City Council meeting. The election would raise up to $68 million without a tax increase, he said.
The council approves the annual budget and would have to confirm the raises, Sprouse said.
Alderman Brad Bruns said he would love to be able to give raises.
“I would have to see the numbers, but I’m sure the mayor would have checked them before he proposed it,” Bruns said. “City employees’ pay has been at the bottom of the barrel and I’d like to see the raises they deserve.”
Alderman Rick Evans said many employees have remained with the city despite receiving small raises or none during the economic downturn.
“Now that our tax revenues are starting to look up, we should be able to blend in the budget some more money for the employees,” Evans said.
Springdale sales tax receipts, after falling for several years, have started to climb over the last 12 months.
The improving tax receipts should give council members a good reason to approve raises, Sprouse said.
Determining the amount of the raise could be calculated several ways, said Wyman Morgan, city director of administration and fi nancial aft airs.
“I don’t know if he wants to compare the Consumer Price Index from last year, or from the last time we had a cost of living,” Morgan said. “We also could make a market study to see how our pay scale compares on similar jobs.”
Bond money cannot be used for salaries, Sprouse said, but it could free up money already reserved. The bonds would be backed by a permanent city sales tax fi rst approved in the 1990s.
The raises are not dependent on city voters approving the bond sale, Sprouse said.
“I think the council would have more confidence if the bonds were approved,” Sprouse said, “but I’ll recommend the raises either way, approved or not.”
Money from the sale of the bonds would be used for improvements to roads, parks and fire stations. The election is scheduled for Aug. 14.
“How many times can you raise money without a tax increase or a cut in services?” Sprouse asked.