La Plata council dives deeper into budget talks

Also discusses method of staff pay raises

The La Plata Town Council on Monday revisited discussions from its goal-setting retreat and continued to crystallize its vision for the town’s budget.

Treasurer Robert Oliphant once again sat with the members to flesh out the details of the council’s first attempt at developing the financial plan. Oliphant and acting Town Manager Danielle Mandley have served as bridges between the council and town staff, working to obtain a clear set of directions from the former for the latter.

A primary target at the top of the to-do list is the Comprehensive Plan, which by law must be completed by 2019. The legislation represents the vision of the council for the town’s future, so it can change depending on who is in office. This iteration of the council will have its first opportunity to outline the path they see for La Plata through the comprehensive plan.

“You all kind of control how that process goes, how much stakeholder input do you want, how much change do you think you’re gonna want to make,” Oliphant said. “From my personal perspective, I think you all have a slightly different view of the town than is captured in the current Comp Plan.”

Mayor Jeannine James said the town’s Main Street affiliation and changes to the library will be something to address, as both will “initiate life into the downtown.” The mayor has been the biggest proponent of the Main Street program, which helps smaller communities and municipalities toward growth and revitalization. James said since the council chose the affiliate route instead of the full Main Street designation, the cost should be minimal.

Another aspect of the budget that sparked an extended debate was merit-based raises and the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). James questioned whether the current merit-based system, which has managers grade subordinates in order to determine pay increases, is the most effective way to keep employees in La Plata. She conceded the approach may be a tough pill to swallow, but could be a useful cost-saving method.

“I know that’s a tough thing to say, ‘Hey guys look at the merit raises,’ but is that in the best interest of retention?” James said. “Is it really keeping them here? If it is, great, if it’s not, then that maybe something to look at.”

The members wanted to examine other municipalities in the area in terms of pay increases and the incorporation of COLA bumps along with merit-based raises. Oliphant explained how yearly pay bumps increase at a geometric rate, so a 3 percent increase followed by another 3 percent increase actually costs 6.5 percent in the budget. Councilman Brent Finagin pondered whether La Plata could make changes to its benefits or salary offerings to make them competitive to other similar positions without the exponential wage costs, but Oliphant explained this would be difficult.

“I understand where you’re coming from; I will tell you that if you go out and say we have to pay what the sheriff’s department pays and offer the same benefits, we don’t compare,” Oliphant said. “I can tell you that if we have to go out and say what does a wastewater treatment plant operator get here versus what they can get at Blue Plains, we can’t compare. We can’t ever meet those salaries.

“Part of it is the quality of life and the job that you choose to do. There are certain things that you get here that you don’t get working for the sheriff’s office or working for Blue Plains.”

The council will continue to work out specifics of its budget, especially as the members gather more information on the various implications of any potential change. Oliphant will likely return to the table in upcoming meetings, and Mandley will be there to refocus any wayward discussion with a reminder about the purposes of these sessions.

“We’re establishing goals right now at what you would want staff to look into, what direction do you want to go,” Mandley said. “If you want to maintain a strong human resources infrastructure, then that gives staff a direction for things to look at it for their departments on how to do that.”