(KLZA)-- On a split vote, Falls City Council members voted 4-3 during a special meeting Wednesday evening approving a three-year wage and benefit package for the cities non-union administrative staff.
However, the resolution that passed, will require clarification during the December 1, Council meeting.
The resolution in the packet was for the proposal put forth at the November 17th Council meeting which had a smaller pay increase for the City Administrator, Public Works Director and Chief of Police than the November 3rd Council meeting.
In making the motion to approve the proposed resolution, Councilman Don Ferguson misspoke and referred to the November 3rd resolution when he meant the proposal from the 17th which was what was being discussed.
The final vote was 4 in favor, 3 against with Council member Josh Kaster absent.
Two previous wage proposals were voted down with 5 votes against those proposals. Wednesday evening 3rd Ward Council representative Sara Ruiz voted in favor of the proposal after casting nay votes two previous times.
Voting for the wage proposal Wednesday night were Council members Derek Leyden, Joe Buckminster and Don Ferguson along with Ruiz.
Casting nay votes were Council members Kenny and Frank Killingsworth and Shawn Fouraker.
At the beginning of the meeting Wednesday night, City Administrator Anthony Nussbaum asked to address the Council. He said what has occurred to date with the non-union, administrative wage package is unacceptable for any city government. Nussbaum said the meeting was called on his behalf by Mayor Mark Harkendorff to adjust the breakdown of the wage setting process, determine a path forward and restore fairness and stability.
Nussbaum said the Management Team deserves stability, fairness and closure of the process while deserving the same respect and process afforded by city code, by the mayor's authority in the city code to appoint the committees and the same process all other city employees received through union negotiations.
The Council Chambers were full for the Wednesday night meeting with audience members speaking both for and against the pay increases.
