By Rebecca Dopp
Times-News Correspondent
Levan Town Council met Jan. 9, 2002, to go over issues
previously discussed at the Jan. 2 meeting. While no new
changes were made, a heated discussion over city employees'
hours and wages made it "standing room only" at this
meeting.
•At the Jan. 2 meeting, a 3-2 vote was made on
changing city employees' hours to 5 days a week, 8 hours a
day during the winter months instead of the previous 4-10
working schedule. Plus, no raises were going to be given at
this time due to Levan's financial status.
The discussion started off with city employee Jason
Worwood handing out a financial outlook paper for 2002.
According to this outlook, there will be approximately
$93,000 in bond payments due this year. Revenue should bring
in about $659,000. The balance left over to pay bills with
is estimated at $565,000.
Mr. Worwood went on to compare these totals to 1998
and the previous council. In that year, the bond payments
were about $178,000. Revenue brought in around $505,000. The
balance to pay bills was approximately $327,000. As compared
to 1998, the new administration should have close to
$238,000 more to operate on than the previous council.
He then pointed out that the previous administration
inherited about $70,000 in bills and at no time did he feel
that his job was threatened. He felt that the council was
able to make the debt payments with less revenue to work
with and still be fair to employees.
Mayor Shepherd told Mr. Worwood that Levan was in a
"pickle" at this time and that raises could not be given at
this time. Mr. Worwood informed the mayor that Levan should
have around $50,000 coming in at the end of January, and if
everything came in as it should, there should be around
$100,000 by the end of February. "I hope we do," responded
Mayor Shepherd. He reported that as of Jan. 9 Levan had
$8,444 in its account. He stated that Levan Town had
existing claims that were due and payable right now: $9,100
in autopay, $6,469 on 9-41's that should have been
deposited, $4,000 due to Greg Ogden, and $2,000-$3,000 left
in other claims.
The subject then switched to the issue of hours. The
city employees had previously been on a 4 days a week, 10
hours a day work schedule. They both carried a pager and
were on call 24/7. They were not paid for their call-time,
but held compensation time if they were called out to do a
job while on call. This time was taken off of the next day
or held for later use. They were not paid any overtime.
Jason Worwood said that the people that he had talked to had
no idea that they were not paid to be on call while they
were on 4-10. With the new proposition, one employee would
carry a pager 15 days a month and rotate call-time. They
would be paid to be on call, but one of the employees would
have to be within 20 minutes of Levan while he was on call.
It was stated that the employees would receive between
$200-$300 to be on call while on 5-8.
Mayor Shepherd reported that the consensus of the
people he had talked to preferred employees work 5-8 at
least during the winter months. Mr. Worwood said he had no
problem with that. Rod Wankier stated, "The town employees
are an asset…and happy employees are more productive
than disgruntled employees, and as long as they're doing
their job and the town is covered 24/7 at no extra cost to
the town, other than the comp time they build up if they do
go out on call, then I feel we should leave them on
4-10."
Mr. Worwood had concerns of how the council presented
the subject. He felt that they were told that "this is how
it's going to be" and their input was not important. Shawn
Bryan stated that he felt "there was a negative feeling"
during the Jan. 2 executive meeting. "Only Rod and Ryan
stood up for us," Jason Worwood said. They felt that there
was no more discussion to be had on the subject of
raises.
Ralph Brooks made a motion to vote on the 5-8 until
Spring and then re-evaluate it, and also to re-evaluate the
wage increase in 30 days and see where finances stand. Paul
Mangelson seconded the motion. There was a 3-1 decision with
Rod Wankier opposing. Ryan Aagard was not in attendance.
•Other issues discussed had the same outcome as
the Jan. 2 meeting.
Council members' responsibilities were kept the same.
The vote to table the grant money issue stayed the same.
•Mayor Shepherd reported that Levan could go with
Power Manager of Nebraska which would cost $10,350 for all
of the Windows programs as compared to the $16, 250 for
Caselle. The DOS program that Levan has now should do the
job. "The only problem we had before was the glitches in the
general ledger," stated Mayor Shepherd. No new decision was
made on this issue.
•An update on the garbage truck was given by
Ralph Brooks. He reported that the engine had gone to
Doyle's Diesel and that they had taken it up to Salt Lake
and the new bushings would be put in and the truck should be
back in service by Jan. 11 or 12. Mayor Shepherd said that
there should be a warranty on any rebuild work.
The next Levan Council meeting will be Feb. 6 at 7:00
p.m.
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