Employees get increase

Employees at Electric City got a little more than was suggested by city officials, but not much, as the council approved a 1.6-percent cost-of-living increase for 2013.

The council voted 4-1 for the 1.6-percent rate. Councilmember John Nordine voted no, favoring a higher rate.

The agenda showed a 1.3-percent increase, but council members shot that down and had a difficult time finding the balance that would provide enough votes to pass.

The subject had come up at an earlier council meeting when the discussion got heated as employees objected to city actions in the past when the cost-of-living rate was high and they still had to settle for a reduced rate. It was suggested then that maybe city officials didn’t appreciate the work that employees do.

Councilmember Lonna Bussert explained that the cost-of-living increase had nothing to do with performance.

It was apparent at the Nov. 13 meeting that city officials had felt the 1.3-percent COLA would be a cakewalk, but it didn’t fly.

The difference, while not huge, seemed to satisfy employees who were present.

Mayor Jerry Sands said that whatever is done, the city should use the same category and time to figure future COLAs.

The city used the “west” category and “July” figures.