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Bonuses for dirty city jobs in doubt

Lawyers want a formal policy before more awards go for safety and service.

By LORRI HELFAND, Times Staff Writer
Published February 6, 2008

For 15 years, city employees who do some of Largo's most dirty and dangerous jobs have been awarded year-end bonuses for safety and exceptional service.

But the city may not have the proper approval for its bonus program, which recognizes rank-and-file public works and environmental services employees.

City attorneys who examined the program at the request of Commissioner Mary Gray Black recommend suspending the awards until the city adopts a formal bonus policy.

The attorneys also said city officials should discuss the matter with the union that represents more than a third of Largo's employees.

City Manager Mac Craig said he wasn't sure how much money has been disbursed since the program began in 1993.

But it's worth it, he said, because it provides safety incentives to employees who work in some of the toughest and riskiest conditions.

"When you weigh the cost of what they get against the cost to the city if one of those 20-ton trucks rolls over and kills or maims someone, there's no comparison," he said.

In December, 58 public works and environmental services employees received bonuses totalling $17,475.

Twenty environmental services employees took home $250 each.

In the public works department, employees earned bonuses of $75 to $200 in categories such as professionalism, excellent attendance or safety. Some employees earned awards in multiple categories. One, recognized in five categories, was awarded $1,000.

State law allows the city to provide extra compensation for employees if certain criteria are met, according to an opinion from City Attorney Alan Zimmet and staff attorney Mary Hale.

While officials could argue that they aren't breaking the law because they include the annual awards in the city budget, they should have a written policy "specifically providing for the awards program," wrote Zimmet and Hale.

But first the city should discuss the matter with the Communication Workers of America because it affects employees who are union members, Zimmet said.

CWA Local 3179 President Steve Sarnoff said he was aware of the bonus program and supports it, but it was not discussed as part of the bargaining process with the city.

"The union believes that a bonus program in and of itself is a very positive thing," Sarnoff said. "It gives the city the ability to recognize things like outstanding safety."

The city and union representatives plan to meet Thursday to discuss the issue, Sarnoff said.

Sarnoff said the union would like to see the program expanded to other departments as well.

That may be unlikely, officials said, because last week's passage of Amendment 1 is expected to take a $3-million bite out of the city's property tax revenues.

In contrast, bonuses for environmental services and public works employees come from revenue generated by sewer and solid waste fees, not property taxes, said finance director Kim Adams.

Most officials said they'd like to see the bonus program continued.

"I don't have a problem with it, but we need to be doing it correctly," said Commissioner Gigi Arntzen.

Black recently asked the city attorney to research the bonus program after a couple of residents questioned the program at a public meeting.

But Vice Mayor Andy Guyette said he's concerned that opposition could nix the current program altogether.

"It's a shame because they're trying to reward those who go above and beyond," he said.

By the numbers

58 public works and environmental services employees received bonuses totaling $17,475

20 environmental services employees took home $250 each.

1 employee, recognized in five categories, received $1,000.

[Last modified February 5, 2008, 22:08:40]