subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Mon, Oct 13 2008 

Published: August 08, 2008 09:43 am    print this story   email this story   comment on this story  

City retirement spared

Pension benefits escape the trimming shears

Chelsea L. McGowan

Staff Writer

After several discussions in special sessions of the Weatherford City Council, a proposal to cut retiree benefits seems to have finally been defeated.

In a work session held July 29, Chief Financial Officer Janina Jewell presented several cost-cutting options to councilmembers, focusing on ways pension plans and medical benefits for city employees might be changed to affect the bottom line.

At that time, councilmembers requested more information and seemed unconvinced of the proposal’s merit.

“So, we’re looking at ways to decrease what they’re getting in pension, and also increasing what they pay for health insurance?” asked councilmember Jan Barton. “I’m afraid it might end up being a double hit.”

After further discussion in a work session held Aug. 5, City Manager Jennifer Fadden said she does not believe the council will choose to proceed with the proposed cutbacks.

“After the feedback I got on Tuesday, I really don’t see the council going that direction,” said Fadden. “It might be something they revisit in the future, but at this time we’re going to look at other areas to trim.”

Fadden also said the entire general fund was getting the same treatment, as city officers work to balance next year’s budget.

“We’ve done an extensive job of going through the entire general fund budget and scrubbing it,” she said. “As a service business, 75 percent of our budget goes to benefits and salaries, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. But that means that when you have to cut back somewhere, those areas are going to be affected.”

And indeed, salaries are going to be affected in the new budget year. As previously reported, councilmembers stand to see their salaries increase by five times if a recent recommendation by the charter review committee is passed.

“I really don’t expect any changes to be made that will affect retiree benefits this year,” Fadden said. “But we have to keep looking everywhere we can to make sure the city is only doing what it can afford to do.”

print this story   email this story   comment on this story  

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.




Place a Classified Ad


monster
wheels
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

PRODUCTION WORKERS
General
Production Workers Needed:

32-40 HOURS A WEEK
Starting Wages
$7.35 - $11.00/hr
...>MORE

Sonic - S. Main - NOW HIRING!!!
Sonic Now Hiring All Positions!

Apply In Person
1002 S. Main, W’ford.
No Phone Calls Please
...>MORE

Brock ISD Now Hiring - Cafeteria Help
Full Time Positions Available for Immediate
Employment in the Brock School Cafeteria.
Please call: Beverly Mer
...>MORE

Gas Measurement / Automation Technician
Texas Maximum Production
Oil & Gas

Now Hiring

Gas Measurement / Automation Technician Needed<
...>MORE

RV Technician
FUN TIME RV OUTLET

Wanted:
Experienced RV Technician

Full Time. Salary Subject To Experience<
...>MORE

OPERATIONS MANAGER
THOMAS PETROLEUM LLC

NEW LISTING!
NOW HIRING

OPERATIONS MANAGER
for Fuels, Chemical and
...>MORE

Retail Sales Person
Experienced Dependable
RETAIL SALES PERSON
F/T Position Available
Apply In Person
Willhite Furniture
...>MORE

Class A CDL Drivers
Western Bentonite Oil Company

Seeking experienced Class A CDL Drivers

Apply in Person:

...>MORE

Registered Dietician
Outreach Health Services is hiring for the following positions to work in our Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC):...>MORE

Housekeepers
Weatherford
Healthcare
Now Hiring
• Housekeeper’s
• Laundry Aide’s

Sign On Bonus
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Real Estate

See all ads

Premium Garage Sales

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index