Managing editor
Even though $100 Christmas bonuses were budgeted by Marion City Council, the governing body did not act on it Monday evening.
For the past 15 to 18 years, full-time city employees have received the bonuses. This year, there are 24 full-time employees, a total cost of $2,400.
“With the economy what it is, raises were needed … but I’m not sure if bonuses are best right now,” Councilman Steven Smith said. “We’ve given them a substantial raise at 4 percent. Employees appreciate the raise but I don’t think we’re stepping on toes with not doing a bonus.”
Mayor Mary Olson said she hoped employees understand the need for the city to save money.
Councilman Stacey Collett said the city’s budget was in “good shape” and the bonuses were a budgeted line item.
“There are some places in the budget where we haven’t provided some things,” Olson said. “I’ve heard complaints on some roads and other things not done.”
With no motion being made, bonuses were denied.
Trash rate increase goes through, rate could include lake customers
Two weeks ago, the city council approved a refuse fee increase of $1.50 per city customer per month. At Monday’s meeting, the council approved the ordinance to enact the increase but not without the protesting of two council members.
“I’m going to bark a little bit,” Smith said. “The ordinance is OK but there is no bite to it.”
He still didn’t support the increase because he didn’t think it was a fair assessment. Smith said he would rather see it divided more equally, where the larger refuse contributors pay more than those who recycle or one-person households.
“I’d still like to see once-a-week pickup for residents,” Councilman Bill Holdeman said.
Smith said the ordinance didn’t allow bags on the curb.
“Do we enforce the ordinance and increase costs or do we do what we’re doing now?” Smith asked. “I don’t see any other way of doing this but I don’t think it’s fair.”
Approval of the ordinance passed, 3 to 2, with Smith and Holdeman voting against.
City Administrator David Mayfield asked the council to consider increasing trash collection fees to customers within Marion County Improvement District No. 2, which includes residents on U.S. 256, east of town, and Marion County Lake residents.
The city had signed an agreement with the improvement district in 2005. The agreement was through 2008 with a review allowed on an annual basis.
“We’re charging our customers in town the additional charge because of cost increases,” Mayfield said. “We’re not in the refuse business to lose money. We’ve got to treat it like a business.
“For the past three years, I’ve asked the council to raise fees or do away with free trash bags or something because that department is not holding its own. It’s just breaking even. Right now, I can’t put any money aside for equipment reserve,” Mayfield said.
Holdeman asked if a private trash service could haul the trash for lake residents.
“The City of Florence used to haul their trash,” Mayfield said. “Marion was asked to provide the service.”
Currently, lake and rural customers pay $4.50 per month per container. City crews pick up four times a month in April, May, June, July, August, September, and October. The rest of the year, haulers pick up less frequently.
The consensus of the council was to notify the improvement district regarding the rate increase.