Longevity pay restored for Mt. Pleasant employees
Posted/updated on: November 26, 2024 at 4:38 am
MOUNT PLEASANT – Mount Pleasant council members reversed their decision made last week, to cut year-end bonuses in half for city employees according to our news partner KETK. In a special meeting on Monday night, council members apologized and admitted that they did not fully understand the full impact their vote would have.
Monday’s vote will restore the $10 per month of service year-end bonus, reversing the decision they approved just last week, that would have cut this bonus in half. For example, if an employee has worked for 12 months, they would receive a $120 bonus at the end of the year, if that was cut in half they’d only make $60. Before the vote was held, members of the council admitted what they had done was wrong.
“We appreciate them, glad they changed it,” said Jace Collins with the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department.
“I do wanna apologize again to those that give every day and night to do what is right for this city, to keep it running,” said Jonathan Hageman, Mt. Pleasant councilman.
Councilwoman Debbie Cornell explained that she did not do enough research before making this impactful decision.
“I don’t think any of us realized first of all that it had been moved to 10 and secondly that it was a one-time payment. None of us knew that,” said Debbie Cornell.
One member thanked the community for taking to social media to express their frustration and ask for change.
“It hurt, but yet it was truthful and again I had no idea really what I was dealing with. Please accept my apology,” said Kelly Redfearn, councilwoman.
Mount Pleasant first responders said members of the council are fairly new to their roles, but all they had to do was ask if they were confused about the pay structure.
“I know it’s a lot of responsibility around the city. It’s a large budget so I can’t begin to know their thought process,” said Collins.
During the meeting, Hageman warned the community that the city’s budget will be tighter next year, citing inflation.
“We all need to tighten our belts due to some surprises with what I’ll just say it, the screw pumps are going to double in price,” said Hageman.
