Safford City Council opts for one-time bonus rather than permanent pay raise for city employees

Safford City Manager Horatio Skeete proposes a merit increase during the Safford City Council’s May 3 budget work session.

Some employees will receive more with the bonus than permanent raise for this year

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

SAFFORD – Citing the volatile nature of its revenues, at its May 3 budget work session, the Safford City Council directed City Manager Horatio Skeete to move forward with a true performance bonus for the city’s employees instead of an across-the-board raise.

Skeete had recommended a 3 percent merit pay increase for all employees for the fiscal year but added that it could also be given as a one-time bonus. According to Skeete, the city has about 120 employees eligible for a performance pay increase. The city previously gave its employees an across-the-board 3 percent raise last year.

Safford Mayor Jason Kouts said even though the city had a good year revenue-wise, the city had a number of expenditures go over projected budgets. He said he preferred to not get locked in to a recurring expense of such a raise and rather award deserving employees with a bonus.

“I don’t feel satisfied enough by what was presented in front of me that we continue with a $300,000 (increase),” Kouts said. “Because of last year’s across-the-board raise, I would not be in favor of this year’s merit increase continuing. I can only be in favor of a merit bonus this year.”

Councilor Gene Seale agreed and said that the council could evaluate each year’s revenues and award bonuses accordingly and could award another bonus next year or not depending on the available revenue.

“But I think we have had a good year,” Seale said. “We’ve had some setbacks; we’ve had some issues. But you’re always going to have that . . . I think we’ve overcome those hurdles and I appreciate all the work that everyone has done.”

Kouts also asked Skeete how he came to request the increase and Skeete said he will always request his staff be rewarded when possible.

“I don’t just do the right thing when you are looking, I do the right thing when nobody is looking as well,” he said.

With the consensus of the council being for a true merit bonus, some workers could see a bonus up to 5 percent while others may not get any bonus at all. Skeete said those who excelled beyond expectations would recieve the higher bonuses while those who just met expectations should expect to receive a 3 percent merit bonus.