‘Grossly excessive’ bonus
Dear editor:
In today’s The Sentinel-Record the headline read, “City manager, attorney get over $70,000 in incentives.” I asked myself, “Why? What did they do to deserve such generous bonuses?” According to the article, the bonuses were awarded for keeping capital projects on track and initiating innovative programs amid a pandemic. But isn’t that their job? Jobs, I might add, where they are already very well paid.
Did the city board consider how their extravagance toward the city manager and city attorney would be viewed by other city employees? Think about the men and women who do the hard work of keeping our city safe and functioning — our police officers, those who collect the trash in the summer heat and the winter rain, the staff who keep the water system up and running 24 hours a day and those who clean the settling tanks at the city’s sewage treatment plant. They will receive 3.5% cost of living raise and a modest $1,200 bonus.
In contrast, the city manager gets an incentive payment of some $42,500 (a bonus equal to 25% of his already generous $170,000 annual salary) (and I might add, more than some city employees earn in an entire year!). The city attorney will receive an incentive payment of nearly $29,500 (20% of his annual salary).
By any measure, these payments are grossly excessive. Especially at a time when businesses and the general public are suffering through a pandemic and we have 7% unemployment.
The inequity of the decision of this board is appalling. We have people in lines for food; we have families who can’t afford their rent or mortgage; we have businesses struggling; people thrown out of work; and people ill and dying. This is not the time to give huge taxpayer-funded raises to the city’s already generously compensated city manager and city attorney. this board of directors, with their frivolous actions and disregard for the common people, show their true character. Their mindset would fit right in with Marie Antionette and her “Let them eat cake” retort.
I would say “have a good day” to everyone; but we all know that will not happen — except for Bill Burrough and Brian Albright, who are laughing all the way to the bank with our tax money.
Verna Linder
Hot Springs