Our View

Our View

Getting a rise over some getting a raise?

A long-time friend of ours, who is highly sensitive and defensive to criticism of “HIS” city of West Memphis, gave us a call the other day telling us he expects the same scrutiny we gave over his city employee’s expectations of raises and bonuses as what Crittenden County justices are now considering giving their employees.

Honestly, he was a little more blunt in his expectations than that, as anyone who knows this man also knows he holds back no punches when it comes to expressing himself on certain issues.

As expected, we’re taking a little “heat” from those individuals within this county’s largest city over our recent criticism regarding city employees wanting another year-end bonus at a time when city sales tax revenues are falling.

Last year, city employees received a three percent bonus, a bonus and even an extra pay check. But, that was then, and now these employees are being told the estimated $400,000 in extra tax money for bonuses just might not be available this year due to the fact sales tax revenues are down.

We said on Nov. 10 that if we were placing a bet on whether or not these local politicians give in to employee expectations we’d say Southland Park Gaming and Racing tax revenues, which are exceeding last year’s amount by a half million dollars, will give city politicians an excuse to please these employees.

Now then, not to disappoint one of our best critics, let’s explain what Judge Woody Wheeless says justices are proposing.

Yes, it is a fact justices are considering a six percent raise. Wheeless explained that because the state’s minimum wage is going up it has been determined that in order to meet that requirement and to be fair and equitable across the board the six percent was the minimum to be considered.

And yes, there are plans to also give a $500 Christmas bonus that Wheeless said should help employees during the holidays and pay bills.

“It’s an incremental process to be fair to all county employees,” Wheeless explained. At no time, nor has there ever been since Wheeless has been county judge, has raises been given to justices and there is no intention to do so now.

Wheeless explained that the reason the county revenues are up is because of good fiscal responsibility and the fact that based on state law the county can’t allocate but 90 percent of his projected revenues in any given year.

Wheeless said he always presents a lien budget knowing that at the end of the year there will be excess revenues for such expenditures as emergencies and possible employee benefits.

It was also pointed out that the pay scale in West Memphis is far greater than what the county is able to pay its employees, plus we expect the other benefits, such as health insurance, paid holidays, retirement and time off are different than what West Memphis offers.

For instance, West Memphis pays all but $50 a month for its employees to have complete health insurance.

Without clearly understanding the major differences between West Memphis government and Crittenden County government it would be easy to pass judgment but knowing the facts what justices are considering is appropriate and understandable.