BY CAROL ARNETT

The Florissant City council held their third budget workshop on Saturday morning, and made some final minor changes to the budget. The ordinance approving the budget will be voted on in November. The city’s fiscal year runs from Dec. 1 through Nov. 30.

At Saturday’s meeting, the council authorized $17,000 for new paths at Koch Park. The new path will connect the parking lots, and existing paths will be widened to better accommodate the snack golf cart that drives from field to field in the summer. The council also approved $5,000 to display finds from the archeological dig at the shrine at the Eagan Center.

The council rejected a request by the city court for a new court clerk. “They don’t need it,” said Mayor Robert Lowery. He said that every year, he asks department heads what they would like. “If you ask someone if they need more, they’ll say yes,” Lowery said.

Councilwoman Karen McKay said that she understood that the courts were busy. She said that with the hiring freeze the city has been in, “all departments are inundated.” However, she said, the freeze was still in effect.

The council also discussed dropping the residency incentive. This pays city employees who live in the city an additional $100 per month.

Councilman Tim Lee proposed phasing out the program over a two-year period. He noted that Florissant is one of the only communities nearby that offers it.

Councilman Tom Schneider suggested phasing the program out over a four-year period. Councilman Andrew Podleski called it “small potatoes.” He added, “people expect it,” and suggested keeping the program.

The council also discussed changing the retirement plan. Councilman Tim Lee proposed that the city contribute 2% less in the future. “We offer a good plan,” he said, noting that it was better than most municipalities. “We would still be offering a good plan.” The changes would affect only employees hired after December 1, 2010.

Schneider agreed. “This is a very rich plan,” he said, citing his experience as a financial planner.

Lee proposed an incentive plan for employees. Under his plan, up to ten employees a year could receive $500 in gift certificates to local merchants for exemplary performance. Lee called it a win-win, saying it would boost employee morale and help local businesses. The council voted unanimously to put the plan in the budget.

McKay proposed pay cuts for both council members and the mayor. She noted that the council members are more than any other municipality in the county, and receive a pension plan. She proposed a reduction of $150 a month. She noted that most council members have full-time jobs. “This is not a livelihood,” she said, “It’s a part-time job.”

Council members are currently paid $850 per month, or $10,200 a year. They also are enrolled in the pension plan and receive an expense account.

“I consider this a full-time job,” said Councilman Keith Schildroth. “Seven days a week, I get stopped, get phone calls.”

“This was brought up at the eleventh hour,” Mayor Robert Lowery said. “This is not the time to do this.”

McKay said she thought this was a good time because no council members are up for election. The cut would take effect at the next election.

The motion failed, with only Lee, McKay, and Councilman Keith English voting yes.

McKay also proposed reducing the mayor’s salary to $100,000. The current salary is over $130,000. Stressing that her proposal had nothing to do with Lowery, or any future mayor, McKay noted that the city of St. Charles recently went to a strong mayor form of government, like Florissant, and set the mayor’s salary at $70,000, with it rising to $90,000 over a two year period. McKay noted that St. Charles has a budget over $100 million, while Florissant’s budget is $30 million.

“I’m not here for the money,” Lowery said. He noted that Florissant was the largest city in the county, and said the mayor’s salary should be “at least $130,000.” He noted that he cut his expense account from $20,000 in half, to $10,000.

The motion failed, with only Lee and McKay voting in favor.

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