City employees get 6 percent pay cut

HIGH SPRINGS – High Springs commissioners held a special city commission meeting on Monday, Sept. 17, 2012, and settled on a 6.07 percent across-the-board pay cut to all non-union city employees as one way to shore up the city’s 2012-2013 fiscal year budget of $6.17 million.

The police department is represented by the Police Benevolence Association (PBA) with a new contract currently being negotiated, but the pay cut would affect all other employees.

A proposal considered earlier, but not enacted, reduced the work week to 32 hours for City Hall employees and included a higher salary cut of 6.41 percent across-the-board.  Had the 32 hour work week gone into effect, five City Hall employees would have had their salaries reduced and city services to the public would have been reduced from five to four days per week.

Commissioners funded other items using contingency account funds and fund balance to make up the difference and keep the millage rate at the current rate of 6.15.

A salary increase from the advertised $16 per hour to $18 per hour, less the 6.07 percent pay cut, for the police dispatch supervisor position was approved.  Police Chief Steve Holly added more duties to the original position description, reducing the need for another police department position.

Overtime in the water and sewer departments was reinstated as commissioners determined overtime for emergency calls would be required for those employees.

Not funded was a part-time position in the city clerk’s office at $12,100.  City Clerk Jenny Parham will rely instead on part-time help from another current employee.

Another special city commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m.  Agenda items include consideration of a new resolution notifying the city manager of the city commission’s intent to terminate her employment, duties of the city manager position, delegation of city manager duties and further discussion of the 2012-2013 fiscal year budget.

The final opportunity for public input on the 2012-2013 fiscal year budget will be a public hearing on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m.

#     #     #

Email Cwalker@

alachuatoday.com