Council rewarding “cool thou” to each town employee in budget

Stipend for putting up with “whacked-out” council

In a multi-million dollar town budget, talk over $40,000—the amount Town Council agreed to budget for town employees as a one-time stipend—was one of the toughest discussions among the Crested Butte council members at the October 18 work session.
There are 37 year-round full-time employees in Crested Butte and three year-round part-time employees. The council agreed to award them each a $1,000 stipend next January.

“This makes sense and is a good idea, as our staff won’t receive any raises for the second year in a row,” said Mayor Leah Williams.
“I like that it is egalitarian,” added councilperson Jim Schmidt. “Whether it’s [town manager] Susan [Parker] or the guy plowing snow, it’s the same.”
“It’s a thank-you note,” said councilperson John Wirsing.
“I think the staff does a great job but everyone I know is not making what they were four or five or six years ago,” said councilperson Dan Escalante. “So why should those working the public sector see this? The thank-you note in 2011 is ‘You have a job.’”
“Our staff is paid at about 35 percent of what other comparable jobs are paid in the region,” pointed out Parker. “They make lower wages than people doing the same jobs in other towns.”
“We live in an expensive place,” said Williams, “and for our employees to be at the low end of the salaries in the region—this is a one-shot deal.”
“Hey, the staff is awesome and does a great job,” said Escalante. “But maybe the stipend is $750 and not a cool thou. It is something prudent and a reflection of what is happening in the country these days.”
Town finance director Lois Rozman pointed out that the town has fund balances of over $2 million. “An entire year’s worth of expenses is put away in the fund balance. That is unheard-of in municipal government,” she said. “We have a dedicated staff that cut corners when asked. Some feel those fund balances were built on their backs. We built those reserves to get through these times. It is a one-time expense and it won’t count toward their salary base when things turn around and the council wants to approve a percentage raise.”
“I think $40,000 is comfortable with our situation,” said Wirsing.
“We are very comfortable with the reserves we have,” said Williams.
“Our staff busts their ass and I think $1,000 is the least we can do to have them put up with the antics of this sometimes whacked-out council,” said councilperson Reed Betz.
Councilperson Roland Mason agreed with Escalante. “The $750 is what I had in my head,” he said. “There are a lot of people in town having a hard time even staying here. We just talked about raising fees and property taxes in next year’s budget. I think some people might feel some resentment for this $40,000 going to the employees.”
“We are trying to keep a well trained loyal staff from leaving,” said Parker.
“I don’t disagree,” said Mason. “Everyone does a great job. But most people I know are taking pay cuts. To me, the town covering the increase in insurance costs is a pay raise.”
“We want to retain our good, trained employees,” emphasized Williams.
“I don’t think they won’t appreciate $750,” said Escalante.
“If you gave them $100, they’d be appreciative,” said Rozman.
“The $1,000 will buy them a ski pass,” said Betz.
“That’s part of the deal of working for government,” said Schmidt. “You don’t get the highs or the lows. A few years ago people were charging $80 an hour to shovel snow in the private sector and we were paying $10.”
“I just think it is a great show of appreciation,” said Wirsing.
“I hate this stuff,” said Mason. “Obviously we all appreciate the staff. I’m just being conservative.’
In the end, the $1,000 stipend won out and the Crested Butte town staff will see a New Year’s bonus—err, stipend in a few months.