Wage increase supported for non-union employees

The Longboat Key Town Commission agrees with Town Manager Dave Bullock’s suggestion to provide a wage increases for non-union town employees.

At its regular workshop Tuesday, Feb. 19, commissioners agreed to forward an ordinance to the March 4 regular meeting for first reading that gives non-union employees a 3% raise effective April 1. It also prepares to give 3% raises retroactive to Oct. 1 for Fire Rescue Department employees, pending the fire union ratifies a new three-year contract Feb. 21.

The ordinance calls for $52,200 to pay for the non-union employee raises and $70,000 to pay for pending Fire Rescue raises. 

Excluded from the raise are Police Department employees and general employees who are attempting to organize a General Employees union. About 35 to 40 town employees aren’t represented by a union or attempting to organize a union. In March, negotiations with the Police Department begin that would discuss raises for those employees as part of a new contract.

Money will be transferred both from the general fund balance and the building fund balance to pay for the raises.

ALSO DISCUSSED ...
Forwarded to its March 4 regular meeting:
• A resolution that provides for an annual increase with Waste Management Inc. for town trash services. Rates will rise 33 cents April 1, from $19.20 to $19.53 for residential customer base rates.

Authorized:
• The mayor to sign a letter supporting the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds. If the tax-exempt status is lost, Longboat Key taxpayers would pay higher taxes on water/sewer rates, as well as for other infrastructure improvements for which bonds are routinely issued.

Decided:
• To allow modified parking-restriction times in Longbeach Village to continue through May 1. The commission will revisit the issue in April to see if any residents have complaints with parking changes that could become permanent.