Can a price tag be placed on experience?
Budget talks began June 7-9 in Bradenton Beach, with the city’s department heads presenting their wish lists.
Out of the gate, city clerk Terri Sanclemente, building official Steve Gilbert and police chief Sam Speciale asked for 8 percent across-the-board staff raises.
“It’s not just me, I’m asking for the other guys that are working here,” Speciale said.
Gilbert and Sanclemente made similar requests, but commissioners were hesitant to make a commitment.
Public works director Tom Woodard will get a chance to present his department’s wish list June 14.
“We want to do right by the employees,” Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said. “But we also have to look out for the taxpayers.”
Rather than a flat 8 percent pay raise, Vosburgh suggested budgeting a 5 percent raise while they plan how the other budget pieces will fall into place. City treasurer Shayne Thompson told commissioners the difference between a 5 percent and 8 percent pay increase would amount to $33,500 a year.
“Maybe so, but I don’t want to make any decisions until I see the entire budget,” Mayor Bill Shearon said.
Budget talks conclude in the fall, when the 2016-17 budget must be approved and adopted. The fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
The city also must adopt its millage rate before finalizing the budget.
For Commissioners Jake Spooner and Ralph Cole, the 2016-17 budget will be the first they review and adopt. Vosburgh, Vice Mayor Ed Straight and Shearon have become old hats at the process.
“Everything costs more and the department heads will know what they need. Our job is to figure out if we raise taxes or cut expenditures,” Straight said.
“We’re trying not to reinvent the wheel or implement too many new ideas,” Shearon said.
But pay raises were not something the commissioners had planned. Though Cole and Straight readily admitted to wanting to help the police and other departments, everyone agreed more research is needed.
Commissioners tasked Shearon with finding an outside consultant to present the city with salary comparisons from other public and private entities.
If raises aren’t approved, Gilbert and Speciale warned experienced employees could leave for better paying jobs outside the city.
“Compared to other cities, an 8 percent raise would put salaries in the middle of the road, so to speak,” Gilbert said. “I’d be comfortable my employees wouldn’t leave.”
The budget meetings will continue throughout summer.
Click here to read the BB Budget FY17 Payroll Analysis