Councilwoman Delgado moved to table the vote on the across the board 5% pay raise for city workers, giving the council time to discuss a different allocation method to the raise proposed by mayor Johnny Dupree. In the previous day’s meeting Delgado proposed giving a $3.50 per hour raise to anyone earning $25.000 or less. Hattiesburg City Councilman and President Kim Bradley agreed that placing more emphasis on the lower paid workers should be the focus. Starting at $8.00 per hour is “difficult, very difficult” Bradley said. He went on to say, “I think we need to “focus on the every day worker, and those guys and gals that are on the low end” .
Council Vice President and Ward 4 representative Dave Ware suggested in the previous day’s meeting that a base raise be given to all workers, and the remaining amount be given at the department head’s discretion; intended to reward the better performers. Mr. Naylor expressed concern in the previous days meeting that workers might be unfairly targeted for demanding safety equipment or other job issues, and not get fair treatment. Councilman Naylor didn’t seem on board with giving department heads any discretion in the matter, while Councilwoman Delgado seemed open to such a compromise.
Hattiesburg City Council President Kim Bradley expressed concern that both he and Dave Ware were informed of a 3% raise about 3 months ago with the a financial officer, and were uninformed until the Thursday 31st of May of the 5% proposal submitted by the Mayor. He was especially surprised when the previously discussion closed many of the currently unfilled positions; thereby offsetting the cost that 3% plan. City employees have not had a cost of living adjustment or raise since 2008.
I would have voted for a raise too IF, they could prove where their efficiency had improved. I watch them all the time, believe me they are all poorly supervised. Which I think is the major problem. I think BRADLEY is on to something there! It strikes me that he would be asking himself OUTLOUD about 1.3 Million being a lot of money. I think what he meant was its a LOT for what we ( the taxpayers ) are getting!
If you rated their pay on their proficiency ( rather than who got a freaking gold star this week) I think they would be paying us ( the taxpayer). WE are the ones that need a raise ( in the opposite direction).
We the tax paying citizens have not had a raise either. City workers should bite the bullet just like we have to do.
Just discovered your website. Thanks for your efforts.
Thank You.