EMS merger progress is currently stalled in negotiations over pay for county employees moving over to the city services, and Iola City Council members are exploring a revision of how they pay their employees. ENVIRONMENTAL Protection Agency standards imposed on the city’s stationary internal combustion engines will require the city to invest in new catalytic converters for the backup power generators. ADDITIONALLY:
EMS Director Ryan Sell met with county employees individually to discuss how or if their pay would change when the transition is made at the end of the year. Currently, three county employees are above the maximum pay scale the city allows. One such employee, Eric Sanders, addressed the council to voice his concerns over what would ultimately be a $2,000 loss for him.
The council voted unanimously Monday night to pursue a pay and benefit study, which will be completed by a third-party group. Administrator Carl Slaugh will open the study up for bids.
“I think it would be a better product (with an outside group),” Slaugh said. “They know exactly how to do it without creating tension.”
Pay amounts have been increased over the years through cost of living adjustments, Slaugh said, but a formal study hasn’t been done since 2007.
“That’s a lot of time to not have the pay scale adjusted,” Ford said.
Councilman Steve French pointed out that many city employees “are underpaid” as it is, and a pay and benefit analysis would be beneficial to all employees, not just those in the EMS merger.
“Every department is different and unique,” French said.
Slaugh said most agencies’ fees range from $15,000 to $25,000 for a full study. They would examine current pay, interview employees, examine job descriptions, look at market comparisons and compare the pay rates to those of comparable cities in the area.
“It think it’s way past time,” Ford said. “I think this needs to happen.”
Council members voted unanimously to approve a bid from Miratech, based out of Tulsa, to purchase and install the converters for $542,218.
The standards require a 92 percent reduction in emissions for the engines. The deadline for the improvements is April 2014, and city crews are planning to have the installations completed by March 1, 2014. Miratech has guaranteed a reduction of emissions by 93 percent following the installation.
— The Community Development Block Grant program was officially closed out after a public hearing. Code Services Officer Shonda Jeffries said that 16 homes were rehabilitated and two were demolished through the $400,000 grant given by the state in February 2010.
— Jeff Ready was granted permission to be included in the neighborhood revitalization plan for a rehabilitation of a property on 417 E. Madison.
— Council members approved revisions to the neighborhood revitalization plan.
— Demolition bids were approved for homes at 402 S. Fourth St. and 307 E. Irwin St. They will be torn down by Highberger Construction, Westphalia.
City considers pay study
