Salaries
of mayor, aldermen to be cut
by Shana
Haines
Landmark reporter
Platte City Board of Aldermen voted themselves
a 133% pay raise in March, and Tuesday night voted themselves
a pay decrease of approximately 26 percent.
In March, the compensation for aldermen
was voted to be $350 per month. A vote was also passed
allowing $750 a month compensation for the mayor, an
88 percent pay increase.
Prior to the pay increase, alderman were
paid $150 per month. The mayor position was compensated
$400 per month plus the $100 monthly health insurance
compensation.
The pay increases would not take effect
until the alderman's term was renewed. Aldermen who
are currently receiving the increase are Jim Palmer,
Lee Roy Van Lew and George McClintock, who were elected
in April.
Per the motion approved, the latest pay
adjustments will take place in 2004, presumably after
the April election.
On the agenda during Tueday's meeting
was an item amending the mayor's compensation from $750
to $550.
"I can live with that (the decrease).
I am the one who asked for this amendment," Brooks
said.
Alderman Gary Brown suggested to the board
that salary decreases be made for aldermen members also.
Brown made a motion that aldermen should
be compensated $259 a month, a $91 difference.
McClintock seconded Brown's motion.
"It will help our budget," Brooks
said.
After the meeting, Brown said he thought
the pay decrease was a fair amount.
"I think the first go around was
high. With this opportunity we could even things out
a little better," Brown said.
In March, Alderman Bill Knighton abstained
from the vote. Van Lew voted no on the increase.
During general discussion, McClintock
suggested that the board begin meeting at 5:30 p.m.
instead of the usual 7 p.m.
Several board members agreed with the
idea. However, Brown was very opposed to the time change.
"This is supposed to be an open meeting.
Most of us work. If you start at 5:30 you are going
to eliminate public attendance. We need more public
attendance," Brown said.
Brown added that he may have a difficult
time getting to 5:30 meetings.
"I have arranged my schedule for
7 o'clock," Brown said.
McClintock used the argument that Platte
County Commissioners meet at 2 p.m. and other city committees
meet at 5:30 p.m.
"I think everybody needs to consider
everybody else," Brown said. "I think it is
very inconsiderate. A lot of the board members are retired.
I am not, I am a busy person. I have lots of things
to do."
With Van Lew and Brown voting against
the time change, the issue passed 4-2. The meeting change
will take effect Sept. 23.
Also during the meeting, an ordinance
was authorized allowing an agreement with Platte County
regarding the 3/8 cent sales tax distribution.
The agreement will allow the county to
compensate the city for roads and bridge improvement
plans.
