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1965 09 02 CC Minutes, Special4001 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN September 2, 1965 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in special session on Thurs- day. September 2, 1965 at 5:00 o'clock p.rp., in the office. of the City Manager with the following members in attendance: Robert Barnes Councilman C. M. Massey Councilman Don M. Hullum Councilman A. M. Braswell Councilman J. C. Huron Councilman Raymond T. Donnelly Councilman Seaborn Cravey Mayor Fritz Lanham City Manager Edna Oliver City Clerk The Mayor called the meeting to order to formulate method of approach to the pay increase requested by the Its relationship to other employees of the City, and to of Baytown. Since the Council as a whole felt that the and statement of intent of the City Council relative to man Donnelly moved to approve the following statement f S T A T E M E N T a policy and arrive at a Police and Fire Departments; the tax payers of the City tax payers needed an explanation the proposed election, Council - )r release to the press. It is not the intention of the City Council to oppose nor promote the efforts of the Police and Fire Departments in seeking approval of the voters for a $50 pay increase. However, the Council feels that its position on the pay raise should be made clear prior to the election in order that each voter will know what is to occur if a favorable vote is obtained. The City Council recognizes that we do have a shortage of police officers at the present time. The proposed budget for 1965 -66 contains the provisions for the addition of six (6) more employees in the Police Department. The Council could not recommend a budget which would permit salary increase in these departments or for a general increase for all employees. Salary increases would have required either a reduction in services to the citizens on other functions such as streets, drainage, etc., or a tax increase. The Council is of the opinion that if the cost of living has risen to the point of justifying pay increases for Policemen and Firemen, then it should also justify pay increases for all employees. Therefore, if the voters agree that a pay increase is in order and a favorable result.is obtained in the September 18 election, the Council would feel fair in granting -pay increases to all employees. This can be done only with an increase in taxes or a redu- tion in services. The cost of providing pay increases of $50 each for Policemen and Firemen only, would be approximately $43,200 plus benefit costs or 3.6 cents tax increase per $100 valuation. The Council-is not in a position to finally determine the exact cost of a comparable increase for all employees until further study is made but, such a general increase would cost approximately $140,000 or eleven cents (11 *) per $100 valuation. .17 Councilman Massey seconded the motion. The vote follows: Ayes: Councilmen Barnes, Massey, Hullum, Braswell, Huron and Donnelly. Mayor Cravey Nays: None Adiournment: Councilman Barnes moved for the meeting to adjourn. Councilman Hullum seconded the motion. The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. Edna Oliver, City Clerk