City of Mount Vernon doles out generous annual raises

By Lois Mittino Gray

The Mount Vernon Common Council gave themselves a standard raise of three and a half percent for next year at their October 15, meeting. They passed an ordinance on third and final reading unanimously that established the salaries of the elected officers of Mount Vernon, payable from the General Fund, Water and Sewage Utilities, and it was numbered 25-24.

The Mayor will receive $48,565 from the General Fund, $15,051 taken from the Water Fund, and $15,305 from the Sewage Fund for a total of $78,921 annually. The Clerk-Treasurer will receive $34,324 from the General Fund, and $17,696 taken from the Water Fund, and $17,696 from the Sewage Fund for a total of $69,716.00 annually. City Councilmen will be paid $7,911 from the General Fund and $5,135 from the Water Fund to serve at $13,046 annually. The two councilors who also serve on the Board of Works will receive an additional $2,426.00 from the Sewage Fund.

Another ordinance establishing the salaries and wages for appointed officers and employees was also passed on third reading and numbered 25-23. All of these personnel also received a three and a half percent increase. When asked if this was the typical amount of raise each year, Councilman Andy Hoehn replied that it is usually between 3 and 4 percent was maybe a little less than usual this year.

Another ordinance passed on third and final reading to establish appropriations and tax rates for the City of Mount Vernon for next year. It passed unanimously 4-0 after a roll call vote and was numbered 25-22. Councilman Rusty Levings was not present to cast his votes on these three financial ordinances.

Another ordinance was prepared by City Attorney Beth McFadin Higgins at the councilors request and she presented it for first reading. It establishes a procedure and fee for the release of law enforcement body camera recordings. She reviewed this with Police Chief Rutledge, and he is comfortable with the ordinance. Fees start at $50 and max out at $150, per state statute.

“It is very time consuming to go through all of the footage we have on a situation. We have to redact what can’t be released,” the Chief explained. At this time, only Chief Rutledge and Captain Korben Sellers have the authority to do this redacting work. When asked how redacting is done for video, Chief Rutledge replied that the visual portion is blurred, while the audio portion is silenced.

Higgins stated the last item, which did not make the agenda, but was still considered, is a resolution supplementing the list of parcels of real estate which were authorized for sale from commissioners. This will enable the city to sell these parcels, located at 926 W 4th Street, 925 Lower New Harmony Road, and 616 Munchoff, to get them on the tax rolls. The resolution is numbered 25-25.

No district reports were given at the meeting.

During the Water Utility Board meeting held prior to Council meeting, Attorney Higgins stated there is action on the bids opened at the last meeting on the water tower maintenance and painting. She said it was verified that Tankez made two previous attempts on delivery of the bid, but the Clerk’s Office was not open at the time, and not available to accept it on time. Therefore, their bid is legal because it is considered to be on time, even though stamped with a late time. City Engineer Barry Tanner reviewed all bids, and she has as well. It turns out that of the four bids received, only Tankez is a valid bid. The others were missing vital parts in the packet such as Bid Form 96 and their financial statements. Luckily, they had the low bid anyway of $442,850.

Councilors wished to award the painting contract, but Utilities Superintendent Chuck Gray was not present to verify that he has this amount in his budget. Board Member Jillian Brothers made a motion to go with Tankez, pending written correspondence from Gray that this amount is in his budget. The motion carried unanimously.