Longboat Key town employees could see bonus

Longboat Key Town Manager David Bullock suggested a stocking stuffer for town employees at the end of the Nov. 17 special Town Commission meeting: a one-time, $1,000 payment for all full-time town employees, with part-time staffers receiving a pro-rated amount.

Bullock laid out the details of his proposal: The one-time bonus would not affect base salaries and would cost the town approximately $175,000.

“I think that the employees could use this. I think that the timing is right, and I ask for your input in consideration of a budget transfer that I would bring to you,” Bullock said.

“I make a motion that we do as the town manager is suggesting,” Commissioner Phill Younger said. “I think it’s an excellent idea.”

Commissioner Lynn Larson seconded the motion.

“How many years has it been since our employees have had any kind of adjustment?” Vice Mayor David Brenner asked.

“This is the third year,” Bullock said.

The motion passed unanimously.

But the next day, Brenner raised concerns about the motion and the speed with which it was passed in an email to Bullock (see sidebar on page 2A). Toward the end of his email, he wrote:

“Probably most important, why is this good for our tax-payers? They are going to foot the roughly $175,000 bill?”

In his response to the last question, Bullock detailed the many ways that town employees impact the lives of residents.

Then, he wrote: “This modest reward recognizes the dedication to public service these employees hold in their hearts. The taxpayer benefits from a motivated workforce who wants to serve and wants to come to work in a place that appreciates them. Anyone who has ever held a job knows they did better work when they were appreciated. So, is this one-time payment a fair trade for the taxpayer and the employee? Every citizen is entitled to make that judgment for themselves. I believe it is, and I believe it is appropriate at this time.”

Brenner said a week later that he was satisfied with Bullock’s responses to his questions. He believes the commission should have had a more thorough discussion, he said, but he doesn’t doubt Bullock’s homework on the issue. And he said he thinks that the one-time payments will be good for taxpayers.

“You tend to do a better job when you’re feeling a little better about yourself,” Brenner said. “We’re getting more than enough value for the expenditure.”

FURTHER QUESTIONS
Vice Mayor David Brenner sent an email to Town Manager David Bullock Friday, Nov. 18, the morning after the employee bonus motion was passed, questioning the specifics of the one-time payment. Brenner asked Bullock to hold off on dispersing payments until after his questions were answered. What follows are questions laid out by Brenner and Bullock’s answers in his reply email.

Are all staff included? Not all staff are employees but independent contractors?
We do not have any independent contractors working for the town at this time. This payment would not apply to contractors.

Are employees subject to disciplinary matters included?
All full-time and part-time employees (part-timers will be paid on a pro-rated basis based on hours worked) who are currently employed by the town performing at a satisfactory level will receive the payout.

What are the ramifications for our employees included in collective bargaining units?
We have made preliminary contact with the collective bargaining units and don’t expect any issues.