From City Manager
Larry D. Groth
Whether it’s your personal budget or the City’s budget,
I think we’d all agree that 2008 has been a challenging year. We’ve
all dealt with the ripple effects from high gas prices, and some
economists have estimated that the cost of living has risen by 4.9
percent this past year in our area.
Because we are aware of the economic pressures that
our employees are facing, the Mayor, City Council and management
team placed employee raises at the top of our budget priority list.
We are pleased to budget a 5 percent raise for all
employees rather than the traditional 2 to 3 percent cost of living
increases that employees have received in recent years. The raises
will be effective as of Oct. 5. We were able increase employee compensation,
due to strong economic development and growing property appraisals.
Of course, salary is just one way we express our appreciation
and support our employees. We will continue to pay full health benefits
for employees, and there will be no increase in dependent premiums
for active employees’ health insurance.
However, the cost of insurance is rising and the City
is increasing its’ contribution to health insurance premiums for
employees by 12 percent, which is more than $600 per employee for
a total increase of $900,000. The total contribution per employee
for health insurance is now $5,637 annually for a total budget of
$8.3 million.
In addition, we will be increasing the City’s contribution
to the TMRS retirement plan by almost $1 million. Through these
budgetary decisions, the Mayor and City Council have demonstrated
that they value the hard work and dedication of city employees.
With the economic challenges we’ve all faced, I couldn’t
be more pleased with the accomplishments of our City Council, department
directors and other city staff who participated in the budget preparation
process for our new budget year, which begins Oct. 1.
As the new budget year begins, I want to express my
appreciation for you and the great work each of you do every day
for our citizens.
Mark Your Calendar: Employee Appreciation Day,
Friday, Oct. 3 at the Waco Convention Center
City Staff Spotlight
New Employees
Library Services welcomes Terry Spear, part
time library technician; and Michael Mallick, full time library
van driver.
Street Services welcomes the following new equipment
operators: Robert Kruger, Doug Gassaway, and Angel Ferrales.
Promotions/ Transfers
Thommy Thompson, Street Services, has been
promoted to senior equipment operator.
Moving On
Director Richard Howell, Waco Regional Airport,
is leaving the City of Waco to accept the position of Director of
Airports in San Luis Obispo, Calif. He has served as the director
of Waco’s airport for almost five years.
Julie Pandya, City Attorney’s Office, has left
the City of Waco to accept a position with the City of Cedar Park,
Texas. She worked for the City of Waco for almost two years.
Ezenwanyi Onwuchekwa, Public Health District,
is leaving the City of Waco to move to San Antonio with her family.
Retirement
Arnold Blair, Fleet Services, has retired
after 22.5 years of service with the City of Waco. A retirement
party was held in his honor on Aug. 22. Arnold also received his
master’s degree from the University of Texas in Arlington on Aug.
16.
Congratulations
Water Utility Services selected Brian Sauro
as the July Collection and Distribution Employee of the Month.
Chief John Johnston, Fire Department, received
the public servant award from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
for his and the Waco Fire Department’s ongoing efforts to educate
high school students about the dangers of underage drinking through
the Shattered Dreams Program. The award was presented during the
TABC’s monthly meeting on July 25 in Austin.
Freddie Phillips, Solid Waste Services, was
featured in the August issue of the Waco Today magazine for his
work at the Cobbs Recycling Center.
Street Services selected Robert Stone and
Joseph Wolcott as their employees of the month for June.
The Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau received four
awards as part of the annual Idea Fair Competition at the Texas
Association of Convention & Visitors Bureau’s state convention.
In addition, several staff received their Texas Destination Marketing
certifications or designation including Sandra Lane, group
sales and marketing; Rhonda Bailey, convention servicing,
and Elizabeth (Liz) Taylor, TDM. Liz completed 27 credits
to receive this honor.
Outstanding Volunteers Recognized
The Victim Services Unit of the Waco Police Department
recently honored some outstanding volunteers. They worked a total
of 1,377 hours.
Dannie Archie, Gwen Daugherty, Susan Gibson, Sharon
Self, Walton Strickland, and Sharon Wadle were awarded a “Citizen
Certificate of Merit” by the Meritorious Conduct Board of the Waco
Police Department in recognition for their dedication.
The Victim Services Unit is now accepting applications
for the Waco Police Department Crisis Team Training Academy which
will begin on Sept. 17.
Individuals interested in applying for a position
as a Volunteer Crisis Team Member should contact Victim Services
Coordinator, Samantha Carbajal at 750-7526.
Adult Fall Softball League
Registration begins Monday, Sept. 8 - Sept. 26 for
the Adult Fall Softball League. Games begin Oct. 13. Players must
be 18 or older to be on an adult team. Games will be played at Riverbend
Park. For more information call 750-5875.
|
