Council cuts bus service from budget

Last week the City Council met to prioritize requested budget items and discuss salary options for the 2008 budget year.

Treasure Valley Transit had requested $27,000, an increase of $2,000 from last year, was one budget request in the hot seat at the meeting, and failed to win council's approval.

"I think we take public transit out completely," said Councilwoman Alain Isaac.

Her reasoning behind that suggestion included the lack of advertising the group had said they would be doing to help support themselves, and low numbers in ridership.

"If there are people that need transport we could probably do as a city with vouchers for thousands of dollars, not tens of thousands," Isaac said. The vouchers would be used to let people who need public transportation using other existing taxi and van services in the city.

"I have yet to talk to anyone in favor of the buses," said Councilman Tom Rist. He agreed that there should be an alternative if Treasure Valley Transit was not funded. "I think we could do a voucher system," he agreed.

" (We are) paying for empty seats," said Councilman Richard Urquidi. "I personally don't think they deserve $2,000 (speaking of the increase requested)," he added.

"All is true, I totally agree," said Mayor Joe B. McNeal, "but when they (supporters of Treasure Valley Transit) are in this room with picket signs are you going to say the same thing to them?

"There are people out there that need this. These people that ride these buses are disabled and elderly," continued McNeal.

Isaac countered by noting that "you have 50 people in the audience and 4,000 that don't agree with it (funding Treasure Valley Transit)."

"What we need is an alternative," said Rist.

McNeal reminded the council to remember who would be eligible for the alternative and how long it would be done. "Be careful with (an) alternative."

After discussion, the council decided not to fund Public Transit.

Other questioned budget requests were health insurance for the Arts Council director and the Life Flight Membership for the Fire Department.

The current Arts Council Director is stepping down and the Arts Council is in the process of interviewing for the position, said Urquidi, and something to offer to make the position more attractive was a health insurance program.

"What about all of the other councils that contribute something to the city?" said Councilman Mark Russell. "Why not pay medical for the two ladies at Chamber?"

"I think it's bad business," added Isaac."Take Arts Council medical out."

The council also decided not to fund the Fire Department or Police Department's request for Life Flight Membership on grounds that if anything should happen to the firefighters while on duty, the insurance the city has should take care of them.

Urquidi pointed out that the Life Flight Membership not only covered the firefighters, but also their families, and it was more for the use if a firefighter was injured while off duty.

Other requested budget items that were not funded as of June 18, included, but were not limited to: a full-time firefighter, a patrol officer and marked patrol vehicle (1) for the police department, replacement of three computers for the library, council salary increase with fringe and a one ton Dually truck for the Street Department.

Items that were funded as of June 18 included, but were not limited to: a police patrol officer, laptops for fire trucks, a Norstar phone system for the library and continuing support for CAM 8 minus the budget increase request.

Budget requests still to be considered for approval included, but are not limited to: message signs; two small pick-up trucks and chlorine tablet machines for the Water Department and a build fund for a storage shed, message sign, and mower for the Wastewater Department.

After discussing requested budget items, the council moved on to salaries.

Earlier in the budget hearing process, Jon Sowers of Horizon Human Resource Consulting presented the council with a salary study that showed how jobs compared to other places and he presented a "kinds and levels chart," a grade change chart and a COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) increase.

The city council decided to partially implement the salary recommendations in October 2007 with a full implementation in January 2008.

The partial implementation in October will include a new salary schedule that includes an increase in COLA, along with additional steps in salary and an increase to 3.5 percent between steps.

In January 2008, full implementation of the salary study will occur adding the grade changes (pay ranges where positions are at). Some positions will receive an increase in pay to help bring that position/department up to comparison with other places.

"Whatever we do here, we're probably going to have upset people," said Rist.

Urquidi asked, "Because some people are moving grades and others not?"

Rist said that people might be led to think that the full deal was going to be implemented.

"When was that said?" asked Urquidi. "Everyone is going to get some kind of change (if a COLA increase is implemented)."

"(This is) pretty complicated stuff," said McNeal. "Are we paying people enough to make a living in Mountain Home?"

"Do you see anyone jumping ship?" asked Isaac. "(We) can't pay them with money you don't have. If (a business is) not making money (you) don't get raises in 'real world'."

"I don't think everybody is due raises of 10 to 15 percent," said Russell.

"I don't know what to say about this; It's tough," commented Rist.

"We're talking about ongoing major money," said Isaac.

McNeal said, "I heard mention that no one is leaving, but (that is) not a sign (of) doing the right thing, and if council had more money (they) would make it right."

McNeal said that he considered each employee in the city the same. "Doesn't matter what department. Depends on who you need when you need them. They all have to be across the board," said McNeal.

"All sergeants in the military are paid the same amount no matter what their job is," said McNeal. Russell played off the mayor's analogy when he said, when recruiting, the Air Force offers incentives, but Isaac countered Russell's comment when she said the Air Force also force shapes when there is not enough money.

The next budget meeting will be held Monday, July 16 at 6 p.m., and a budget public hearing will be held Monday, Aug. 13.