Plant City commissioners approved May 28, a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for all city employees.
The raise will come at a cost of $396,600, which will be taken from existing department budgets, as well as a $170,000 increase in sales-tax revenue, said City Manager Greg Horwedel.
“We have a number of dedicated employees, and to stay competitive in today’s environment, we want to reward them for work well done,” he said. “(We want) to let our employees know they are doing a great job.”
In the original proposal for the COLA adjustment, Horwedel was not included in the program. However, City Commissioner Rick Lott proposed a revision to add $4,200 to reward the city manager, as well.
Mayor Mike Sparkman, Vice Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis and commissioners Billy Keel and Bill Dodson supported the revision.
“Your leadership that helped keep all the managers within budget, and you should be included, as well,” Keel said. “You could and did everything in your power to have excess. This is a very just reward for those efforts.”
THONOTOSASSA ROAD
City commissioners delayed for two months a decision to rename one of the three segments of Thonotosassa Road.
Assistant to the City Manager Mike Karr told commissioners the city only had received two suggestions for renaming the segment between Mobley and Dort streets. One suggestion is to name it after Dr. James L. Stevens, a dentist who died in 2001, from cancer. The second, received through the Plant City Observer, is to name it after Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Dep. David Anthony Abella, who died in 2004, in the line of duty.
However, commissioners said they were uncomfortable moving forward with either suggestion.
“Let me be clear: It’s nothing against these two suggestions,” Lott said. “But this is the first time I’ve heard these names, and it would be irresponsible to vote without more discussion.”
Sparkman said his preference is to not change the name.
“I’m leaning toward leaving it alone,” he said.
The commission voted in January to explore options to rename the road. The directive came after some business owners along the three Thonotosassa Road segments said clients were having difficulty finding their establishments.
Karr said any name will have to be approved by Hillsborough County’s 911 agency.
The commission is scheduled to revisit the issue at its July 29 meeting.
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com. seo .” >http://lxcapitals.com/kredit-dlya-nachala-biznesa.php
