The city of Emporia’s 2022 budget is now official.
Commissioners unanimously approved the budget during their regular action session Wednesday evening. The budget total comes to just over $63 million which includes $750,000 in the employee salary fund to accommodate a needed increase in salary wages.
The topic of employee wages has been, arguably, the most highly publicized talking point of this budget cycle. The commission had originally decided to do away with a proposed two percent pay increase, 2.5 percent merit increase and a 12 percent in the city’s wage scale in favor of a 2022 $1 pay increase across the board.
This possible route did not find favor with several city employees including Fire Cpt. Ben Lienemann who, at one point, referred to the proposal as a “slap in the face” to city employees. With the $750,000 included in the 2022 budget, the city will be able to accommodate the original increases for the coming year with all but the two percent pay increase included in the city’s five year budget plan which also saw approval Wednesday evening.
Lienemman commended the commission for taking steps in the right direction, however, he feels the final product still falls a bit short of what they were hoping for.
Mayor Rob Gilligan says he can understand that feeling, however, he still feels it would not be fiscally responsible to commit future commissions to an obligation they may not have the funds to fulfill.
While the budget is now finalized for 2022, commissioner Becky Smith felt it pertinent to note that this does not mean the wage discussion itself is at an end.
In addition to approving the 2022 budget, the commission also approved a resolution to exceed the revenue-neutral rate.
In other business Wednesday, commissioners approved a resolution and the submittal of an application to the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation for MIH program funding. A separate resolution to set a hearing date of Oct. 20 for a redevelopment project to convert three lots in the 700 block of Commercial Street into second-floor housing as part of the city’s RHID program.
The commission adjourned Wednesday’s meeting to 10 am Sept 29. Commissioners will reconvene for a study session next Wednesday inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
