LAURA MITCHELL WANTS TAX INCREASE AND DECLINES SUPPORTING EMPLOYEE BONUSES AND MORE...
In today's final budget work session the Council was able to find enough money to abate the proposed tax increase by the Mayor. They also came up with the following proposals.
A cash bonus to all employees.
No furloughs.
2 new police cars.
1 dump truck.
No tax increase.
New safety shoes for some employees.
There were some other items also proposed but get this. Laura Mitchell all of a sudden, out of nowhere, came up with, I want to know what it would take to gain support on covering the 3% insurance increase we'll have on the employees NEXT YEAR.
Now mind you Folks, Laura has NEVER once in all these months brought this to any one's attention. In other words, no matter what was said or done, Laura Mitchell, the woman who supported O'Malley's Flush Tax increase, never wanted to side with the employees. her ONLY interest is for the good of whatever Mayor Ireton wants and that's all there is to that.
The Mayor popped in and out of today's meeting and has threatened to VETO the Council's Budget. I SAY, GO FOR IT! Push your council budget through and let Laura, Shanie and Jim Ireton stand alone in support of taking away bonuses to the employees. Just think of how many of them will stand outside holding Albero For Mayor signs.
Just when you'd think Laura Mitchell would come around she continues to prove she has no interest in being fiscally responsible. Let the comments fly.
I'll close with this. Remember the Post I put up the other day mentioning the Fireworks former Council President Mike Dunn is pulling off at SU. Each display will cost $20,000.00 a year and Mike has raised $45,000.00, covering more than 2 years worth.
GET THIS, Mayor Ireton stated at the Chamber of Commerce Luncheon they'd like to put up $5,000.00 directly from the City towards this event. Well, first of all, we're now talking about funding that SHOULD be three years from now. However, John Pick and Jim Ireton, (WITHOUT COUNCIL PERMISSION) want the money NOW! They knew they had extra funding hidden in their budget but Campbell was too sharp to catch most, (if not all) of it.
The Red White and Boom will NOT suffer this year or next year. Mike Dunn, (of all people) should know that the Mayor nor John Pick can make such an offer without the Council's consent. In other words, the Mayor could start paying bar tabs at taxpayers expense and that wouldn't be very cool. We have a process for a reason and this is one of them.
New Posts to fall below.
35 comments:
What is wrong with this woman.
Shouldn't she be studying for her CPA exams? Her math skills apparently need work.
Wow is all I can say. A bonus for city employees? Where did that idea come from?
So Joe, you want a raise for city employees, are they ALL underpaid, and just how do you plan on funding it? This is just one of the hard questions coming your way, start with this one please.
You need to keep this topside all week. I am just sickened by this woman. The mayor, too.
Ok maybe I am nitpicking but why are we paying for someones shoes? I know many people that are required by osha to wear safety shoes and their employer does NOT provide them. It's all in the job. I'm also sick of them saying they have no money yet they can give a bonus to employees.
Only worthy employees should receive bonuses.
Of course Laura Mitchell wants to increase taxes... she doesnt have to pay them.... she lives in Moss Hill, and doesnt have to pay crap... you dont even have an electric bill at moss hill... that sounds responsible enough to be on the council... Not!!!!
anonymous 7:10, there are a select few that are OVER PAID.
As for how each employee would get a "bonus" was suggested by Councilwoman Campbell. There was $500,000.00 FOUND last night from workers comp. A portion of that money would go towards giving ALL employees a bonus, something Councilwoman Mitchell REFUSES to agree to and would instead force the taxpayers into a tax increase.
Considering the money came from an employee related fund, why not give it back to where it belongs, the employees.
As to those of you trying to send in personal attacks against Mrs. Mitchell, CUT IT OUT! You know darned well they'll not get published, so GROW UP.
7:42, why not call a council member and ask? There are three responsible ones you can call.
I will if you want. I'm curious, too.
I'm more concerned about the $5000 the mayor wants to kick in for the fire work display. What we don't know is what are going to be the hidden costs of this such as extra police and fire/ems personal on standby and also any other city department expenditures that are possibly going (and most likely) to incur.
I thought this was Dunn's baby? Afterall he was made out to be the savior and benefactor and now it's down to he is the "event organizer."
What a bomb thrower this woman is.
How was 500k "found" in workers comp, I thought you just pay premium?
Joe would you have furloughed employees if you had been mayor? I am very curious to hear where you stand regarding employees.
Anonymous said...
How was 500k "found" in workers comp, I thought you just pay premium?
May 22, 2012 9:35 PM
It wasn't 500K, it was a little over $300K and guess where Ireton wants to spend it? He wants to spend it on resurfacing several streets. I don't think the streets really need to be resurfaced at this time.
To be fair the city employees received furloughs 2 years in a row. The Mayor balanced the cities budget 2 years in a row on the backs of the city employees. Yes I agree the bonuses from the Workers Compensation fund should go back to the employees. To the nay sayers the majority city employees are very underpaid. Lore Chambers and other pets of Ireton do not deserve a pay raise. Jim Ireton you are an idiot to even suggest this. Lore Chambers, John Pick and all past department heads worked hard to campaign against you for Gary Comegys. You are a fool to keep them employed and suck up to them.
You pay an amount per $100 of payroll based on employee class I.E. the rate per hundred would be less for an administrative assistant that it would for...say....a firefighter or police officer. Considering the furloughs, positions not filled when employees retire, any decrease in payroll would leave a lesser amount owed to IWIF at the end of the year than that which was budgeted. If this went on for a few years, the amount can really add up. The question I have is: Why wasn't this amount brought to the attention of the public the first year a surplus in that line item was noticed. And if it wasn't caught by the finance department.....WHY?
I am curious to know if the Fire Works show has been approved by the State Fire Marshal? I read in the Daily Rag where it said Mike Dunn got the OK from the fire expert Billy Gordy. I wouldn't want my home anywhere close by.
Wish I could have heard what went on, but I work two jobs.
Thank you to the council members who did not hike my taxes. Maybe it wouldn't have been much, but with other increases like from the county, I don't think there is one more thing I can squeeze.
Safety shoes are okay by me, talking as someone who has had to have them. Maybe it saves on disability or something.
How about they NOT spend every dime they can get their hands on or find. How about putting some away for when they really NEED something.
I know several city employees who lost several thousand dollars of their hard earned pay on furloughs just so Ireton could balance the budget and give his new pals pay raises. The city employees should work hard to make sure he doesn't get re-lected just like John Pick, Lore Chambers, Alan Webster, Bill Holland, Rick Hoppes and Bill Gordy worked hard to get Bubba Comegys ELECTED!!
Speaking of fireman and lost wages due to furloughs. Wannabe fire chief Rick Hoppes made the firefighters working 24 hour shifts go home at 11 pm at night for the last 8 hours of the shift. This was done as payback because the overall majority of paid firefighters did not support him for fire chief. Not a chance in the world for them to work part time hours somewhere else to make up the difference. Not a chance in the world to spend time with their loved ones because most families in bed or getting ready for bed. The firefighter has to get home take a shower and wind down for several hours. This showed how vindictive and hungry for power and control Rick Hoppes is. Are you sure this is the person you really want for your leader? How soon you forget!
The city employs hundreds of people. Some work hard and deserve raises or a bonus, some don't (just like every job). However, EVERY city worker was used to balance the last 4 budgets. Therefore they should get something.
Does it really matter how she spends money for trips. No one is complaining about Rick Hoppes spending $2000 to fly out to Indianapolis last month for a weeks vacation while on the city dime. No one complains about Rick Hoppes spending thousands of dollars on the city dime while taking online classes and working on the classes while he is employed on the city dime? No one complained about the 2 trips Rick Hoppes took to Canada to look at the million dollar fire boat. Wake up Salisbury.
11:27, I am totally with you on this! Why, when a cash surplus (profit) is the first question not "shall we save it for a rainy day?", but "what can we think of to spend this on right now?"
It seems to me if they can claim poverty it makes it easier to ask for a tax increase! Boneheads!
anonymous 10:01, absolutely not. Not under my watch.
Joe, you must mean Debbie Campbell, Terry Cohen and Tim Spies came up with a way to abate the Jim Ireton's tax increase. Obviously Laura Mitchell didn't and Shanie Shields, why even ask?
Ireton promised to return our tax money if he didn't spend it all. And I have prime swampland to sell you, perfect for building.
She wants to raise taxes so she can get some more free stuff. She is a leech on society.
Yea great question, why is it how can we spend this and not how can we save it or how can we make this extra cash grow? These people are idiots running the town no wonder Salisbury is pretty much broke.
If you are on assisted living you probably shouldn't be allowed to be on the city council. I mean the woman doesn't barely pay rent and doesn't pay an electric bill.
of course mitchell wants to raise taxes, so she can continue to take trips to taxpayer funded events. She can't carry debbie's water let alone serve the taxpayers. how does the mayor and administrative staff loose $500,000? crooks
If your a citzen of the city you need to stand against this stupudity. Or salisbury will continue to get worse. Because none of the council nor the.mayor really care. Its all a popularity contest for them. We need to clean house and start over.
12:59 PM:
I believe that 3 of 5 council members said that they would eat their mileage. Can you guess which ones?
Mitchell and Shields don't own any property -- they are tenants (and SAPOA stooges).
Some of you are losing the point of what Joe is saying. The responsible members of council are NOT raising your taxes! They are doing what needs to be done PLUS some good things WITHOUT raising taxes.
Mitchell and Ireton want to raise your taxes just to ... raise your taxes!
12:59, you didn't read the post very well. The whole council isn't stupid, three of them work for the people and got rid of Ireton's tax increase. This post is a council member who wants Ireton's tax increase. Wants it, go figure!
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