Police and Fire Pension.

The Budget Committee held a special meeting last Monday evening to discuss and consider the proposed changes to the Police and Fire Pension Plan. The Pension Committee is asking for a one-fourth cent sales tax increase to raise the pension benefits of the police and fire personnel.

The Budget Committee is considering whether to recommend to the City Council that the proposal be placed on the November ballot.

After going over the figures provided to them, the Budget Committee asked City Administrator Tom Short to go back to the Pension Committee for more figures and scenarios. The Budget Committee agreed there wasn’t enough time to get all the information they needed to make an informed decision and get the proposal certified for the ballot by the August deadline.

Most concerns expressed by the committee were on the fairness of the proposal.

"It would be like giving the police and firemen a raise but not the rest of the city employees," voiced committee members Bill Johnson.

Currently City employees typically receive a lower percentage of their FAS (final average monthly salary) when they retire than police and fire personnel. If the proposed changes were approved the gap would be increased according to Short.

The other main concern was if the tax passes the public would be less likely to vote for future tax increases to help pay for other improvements that might be needed in the City.

Ya see, all City employees aren’t under the same retirement/pension plan. The Police and Fireman Pension plan was put in place first. Then, some years later, other City employees, including CW&EP employees, were put on the state LAGERS pension plan. McCune Brooks Hospital employees have yet another program.

The City pays for the contributions to the Police and Fireman Pension and employees who work directly for the City. CW&EP and McCune Brooks have their own funding mechanisms.

Although the Budget Committee seemed sympathetic to the request of the Police and Firemen’s Fund, it appeared that unless a proposal to include all direct City employees was developed, there was little support for pension fund enhancement.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing

HERE’S A TIP

By JoAnn Derson

• "I had some sparklers for the kids to light for an early Fourth of July cookout, and my granddaughter was convinced the metal end you are supposed to hold would get hot and burn her. After congratulating her on being wary of holding fireworks, I stuck the end of the sparkler in a cork. When it was good and situated, I let her hold the cork. She loves the sparklers, and we decided that sparklers were OK to hold after all." — J.J. in Jacksonville, Fla.

• To keep coffee beans fresher longer, store them in the freezer. The lower humidity will help keep them fresh and will help retain the flavor. Whole beans stay fresher longer than ground coffee.

• "With summer heating up, I find myself reminding those who have outdoor dogs to make sure they stay cool. If they can’t come inside, give them a firmly anchored water source (small bowls tip over), and don’t rely on doghouses to keep a dog cool. They are actually hotter, since the enclosed space traps heat. If there aren’t enough shaded areas in your yard, bring the dogs inside during the hottest part of the day." — A vet in N.C.

• "My wife and I went back and forth on what to use to cover our porch floor, since it needed a fresh look. We are on a limited budget and she wanted something fancy. Our daughter convinced us to try painting a nice design on the concrete.

"It really looks great, and since we used stencil, it’s one of a kind and looks like it was done by a professional." — J.K. in Eagleton, Colo.

• "My husband tacked up a small sheet of metal on the inside of our hall closet. He uses it as a place to keep his to-do list, which he anchors there with a magnet. It is right next to his coat and umbrella — the last place he goes before he leaves to run errands. Ingenious!" — P.F. in Washington