City OKs 2019 raises

All full-time, non-elected city employees will receive the same dollar amount for a raise in 2019. 

On Monday, Portland City Council approved an updated version of the payroll ordinance for non-elected city employees for 2019. 

Council members also heard a reminder that sewer rates are going up Sept. 1. 

The decision on raises came after the payroll ordinance was tabled at the previous two city council meetings. When the ordinance was introduced at the July 2 meeting, it included a 3-percent raise for all full-time, non-elected city employees. However, there were concerns about those with higher salaries receiving more of a raise than other employees. 

To resolve the issue, all employees will get the same dollar amount of a raise — about $2,000 — added to their certified salaries. The 3-percent raises for each employee were added together and divided evenly in order to reach that number.

Council attempted to keep things equal for employees when it passed a revised 2018 wage ordinance in April. The ordinance was compiled by a wage study committee formed to standardize payment for the city’s employees, and each employee received a one-time bonus of $1,265 in lieu of a raise. 

But after the ordinance was approved, council heard from Robert Moore, president of the J & B Lodge 102, Fraternal Order of Police, who told them that police officers’ and firefighters’ pensions are based on salaries. A bonus wouldn’t be considered as part of a salary, meaning that it was not as helpful long term. 

Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman said the new ordinance resolves the concerns over pensions and ensures that each employee is being treated fairly. 

Council member Judy Hedges had some comments about the ongoing debate regarding whether police and firefighters should be considered separately from other employees. 

“These are people that are working holidays, weekend shifts,” Hedges said. “I think everyone’s important in the city, but we have to look at what their position is and what they do.” 

Hedges ultimately made the motion to approve the pay ordinance for 2019, but said moving forward the city should consider individual departments’ salaries based on their job duties. 

Also Monday, Geesaman reminded council that Portland residents’ utility bills will be a little higher come September. 

Last summer, council approved a gradual rate increase to help pay for state-mandated upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant. Each year, residents’ bills will increase by about $5.25 per month for the average customer who uses 4,000 gallons of water a month. 

The first increase went into effect last September; the increases will continue in 2019 and 2020. 

In other business, council members Bill Gibson, Judy Aker, Kent McClung, Don Gillespie and Hedges, absent Michele Brewster and Janet Powers: 

•Approved an ordinance stating that city council will allow alcohol in Hudson Family Park for special events if the organizers apply for a liquor license. The city has allowed alcohol in the park for events with a liquor license for some time, but Geesaman said he was told council needed an official ordinance on the books. 

•Approved a street closure on Arch Street from Meridian Street to the alley behind the Fraternal Order of Eagles’ lodge for an event Aug. 18. 

•OK’d a three-year tax abatement for Holiday Inn Express at the recommendation of the tax abatement advisory committee. The hotel will undergo a $1.5 million renovation. 

•Paid $22,111 to Jones and Henry for engineering work and $292,024.62 to Jutte Excavating for continued work on the wastewater treatment plant. Geesaman said the project is still on track to be finished by the end of the year. 

•Heard that Ohio Valley Gas is mapping its gas lines throughout the city. Residents may see road damage as a result. Geesaman said the gas company is in charge of repairs. 

•Learned the city is responsible for stump removal of trees it has cut down. Stump removal is usually done during the winter so as not to damage residents’ lawns. 

•Heard there will likely be an update on the downtown revitalization plan in September.