So, the Phenix City Council has voted to give itself a raise – a substantial one at that. Everyone knew it was coming from the time it was introduced by resolution of the council and presented to state legislators. Of course, some will argue it was the other way around.
But, the bill was drafted by the legislators, published in the newspaper, approved by both the Alabama House of Representatives and Senate and signed into law by Gov. Bob Riley – it was a done deal. The next group of council members will receive pay equal to the Russell County Commission and the Phenix City Mayor will receive $35,000 per year.
While I do agree an increase of salary for the council positions and mayor were overdue, I think it went just a little too far, in my opinion. The increase should have been tied to the Consumer Price Index and raised accordingly in proportion to the increase in CPI since the last increase for the Phenix City Council, which was in 2000. There is nothing wrong with that at all, in my opinion.
Where I do have a problem is with the council voting to give itself a “patch” until the next election so that it may enjoy the fruits of the recently approved legislation now. That patch was in the bill. The council members voted last Friday to approve the patch for themselves. They tabled a vote on whether the mayor would receive a patch until the raises go into effect at the next election.
The “patch” is in the form of an undocumented “expense account.” Now isn’t that special? The members of the council will receive pay equal to the county commissioners – over $1,000 per month more than they were making for the positions – without being required to provide documentation that the expenses are valid expenses.
If you have a job, try telling your boss you want the same deal. I think the conversation would go a little like this . . .
You: “Where’s my check for my expenses for $1,800?”
Boss: “Where’s your documentation?”
You: “You promised me a raise after I served you four years. I want it now. I don’t have to provide documentation.”
Boss: “You haven’t served me four years. That promise is for the future, not now. Until then, I will pay you an expense account, but you must provide documentation that those expenses are valid.”
You: “Why? When I took the job, you said I would get the raise. I just want it now. What’s wrong with that?”
Boss: “I also told you that I would give you the raise if you were still here. I don’t know if you will be here in four years. We agreed on a salary when you were hired. You knew what the salary was and you agreed to the terms of our contract. I have investors to protect and I must spend their money wisely. You are being paid exactly what they have said I am allowed to pay you.”
You: “That’s not fair. President Obama said he wanted to see the wealth spread around. I just want mine now. You have to give it to me. You are just the boss. You do not have a say in this matter.”
Boss: “I think I do. You see, it is my job to decide if you have been a good employee and if you deserve the raise – in four years. If you are not willing to abide by the agreement we had, leave now. There are plenty of people waiting to take your place.”
End of conversation – the boss wins.
Now, think about that conversation a little more. Change “You” to “City Council” and “Boss” to “Taxpayers.” Do you understand the situation a little better?
The council members, and mayor, ran for office with the full knowledge of what the positions paid. They, the council members and mayor, have broken their agreements with you – the taxpayers.
In a time when many people are facing loss of jobs, cannot afford health insurance and are barely making ends meet, the people governing the city have decided they deserve more right now. They are not willing to wait until the next election to reap the fruits of the increase in salary. They want – now have – an undocumented expense account as a “patch” until the next election.
Everyone will have to wait until that next election to see if the “boss” is going to remember the decision the council made was an acceptable one.
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