Ronan City Council begins budget process
Daniel Martynowicz
Ronan city officials discuss budget options.
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RONAN — Two years ago, Ronan city employees saw a 30-cent-per-hour cost-of-living pay increase. Last year, it was only 7 cents.
"I wouldn't even call last year's a cost-of-living increase. It was 7 cents. That doesn't even equate to 1-percent (of the worker's salary)," said city council member Roger Romero.
Romero said two city workers retired last year and no new employees were hired to fill the vacancies. Instead, existing employees simply worked harder to keep up with demand.
The increased workload combined with small pay increases over the past two years lead officials to approve merit and qualification-based raises ranging from 10 cents to more than $1.
"In all reality, I think the guys are doing great," said Mayor Kim Aipperspach. "I'd pay them a million dollars if I could."
Romero said the city council has already voted on and approved pay increases for city workers. However, they've not voted on a new budget for the upcoming year.
Several money-saving options were proposed from the previous year's budget. Two included eliminating Jennifer Rolfsness' position as the park maintenance worker and hiring either a part time seasonal employee or contracting a mowing and trimming service between April 1 and Sept. 15 each year.
This would save the city more than $32,000 per year.
Many comments from several local residents were heard though the course of the meeting. All who spoke expressed a deep appreciation for what the park has become and an understanding for why city officials received raises, given the previous two years minute raises, worker's increased qualifications and experience and an increased workload.
However, none approved of terminating Rolfsness' position. One Ronan residents' property borders the park, and he commented on how beautiful it has become under Rolfsness' care.
"I can remember back a few years when everything south of Buchannan looked like a poorly maintained pasture," he said. "Now I see a great many people enjoying it. I would hate to see that let go."
In response, public works director Dan Miller said, "I'm not proposing that we let it go. I was told to find ways to save money. This is only one of the ways I found."
Many expressed concern that with Rolfsness gone, the park's beauty and use would be lost.
At least one city council member publicly opposed the idea during the budget meeting.
"Myself, I don't want Jen to go anywhere," Romero said.
The proposed budget is the same as last year's. The only difference is the pay increases.
Romero said some pay increases were calculated based on the wages of similar jobs in similarly sized cities.
Several Ronan Police officers received merit-based pay increases, while some public works employees received an increase based on certifications attained over the past year.
Romero said it is possible to pass a budget without eliminating Rolfsness' position. Mayor Aipperspach added that this was only the first meeting.
Past years have needed as many as 12 meetings to pass a budget.
