Dunkirk eyes 4 percent hike (7/13/04)

DUNKIRK — A 4 percent across-the-board pay hike for city employees and elected officials is being considered by council members here.

As city council members and department heads continue to prepare budget estimates for 2005, Dunkirk Mayor Sam Hubbard said Monday he thought a 4 percent pay increase would be acceptable in these tough economic times.

Council president Dan Watson said there were no pay increases for city employees in the last budget. The previous year’s budget included a 3 percent raise for full-time city employees but no raises for the mayor or council members.

The last time a Dunkirk mayor received a pay increase was in 1998, when the mayor’s salary was raised from $7,600 to $8,500 a year. The salary for council members of $3,000 each a year was not changed at that time, and has remained at that level for at least the past seven years, Dunkirk clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler said.

A decision on the pay increase issue is expected to be made at the July 26 city council session when work on the 2005 budgeting process will continue.

In other business Monday night, council members unanimously approved spending $15,780 to install additional ozone generating equipment at the city water plant. This project is designed to reduce the iron content of city water and improve its quality.

Upgrading the plant’s ozone facilities was recommended by Peter Conner of Cleanwater Ozone, a consultant from Fort Wayne who has worked with city officials in the past.

Both Hubbard and Watson agreed the changes should be made and additional equipment installed. “It’s got to be done, Sam,” Watson said.

Also at Monday night’s meeting, council members:

•Noted that city officials were receiving lots of complaints about problems with stray cats. Hubbard advised city residents to try to keep their pet cats inside for the next few weeks while city animal control officer Charles “Butch” Parfitt begins “a concentrated effort in the next week or so to pick up stray cats in the community.” The city does have an ordinance requiring cats to wear tags and stay on their own property.

•Heard a report from Hubbard about the need to replace the awning in front of the city hall building and paint that structure. Watson suggested it be painted a darker red color, similar to the color of the bricks at the Dunkirk Post Office.

•Approved hiring Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department member Robert Fields as the city’s third full-time firefighter, effective on Aug. 24 when Deputy Fire Chief Michael Flowers retires from the department. Full-time firefighter Farrel Wells said Fields scored the highest in the testing procedures followed by the department and approved by the city council.

•Agreed to wait a while longer to obtain more cost estimates concerning the installation of a new conveyor and compacting system at the city wastewater treatment plant. This project was recommended by superintendent Greg Buckner.

•Unanimously approved sending Jay County officials a letter of support for extending Wayne Bailey’s contract as Jay County community development director. Hubbard pointed out Bailey has worked hard to help the West Jay Community Center recreation building expansion project.

•Heard a presentation from Jeff Kachman of ING Investments about a proposal to let city employees join a deferred compensation program similar to a 401(k) plan for governmental employees. He said this is the same program which is offered to state of Indiana employees.

•Listened to Dunkirk resident Jack McClain explain repair work is needed as soon as possible for a leaking water hydrant at the corner of North and Shatto streets. Agreeing with McClain, Hubbard said he would check with water department superintendent Dace Mumbower and have the fire hydrant fixed.

•Approved spending $880 to have D & M Door Company of Albany replace two overhead doors at a park shelter house. Councilman James Doughty said the wood on the current doors had deteriorated to the state where it could no longer be repaired.

•Noted the city received a bill for $380 from BestWay Disposal Company concerning a dumpster which was used to collect refuse during the Glass Days Festival. Watson said he would like to see at least a rudimentary financial report from the Glass Days Committee before paying the bill. A similar request was made last year but the committee never responded, city officials said.[[In-content Ad]]