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