WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, October 18th, 2022.
Later in the program, the Bloomington City Council continued their discussion of the 2023 budget during their latest meeting. More in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the latest edition of a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
Bloomington City Council
At the Bloomington City Council meeting on October 12th, the council discussed the city budget for 2023.
First, they voted to approve the ordinance to establish the salaries for Bloomington police and fire personnel. Council Member Isabel Piedmont – Smith asked what the pay rate increase will be after the police and fire union agreements. Human Resource Director Caroline Shaw responded.
The council unanimously voted to approve the ordinance to establish their salaries.
However, the council was not able to ensure an increase in salary for city employees who are a part of the public services employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees or AFSCME.
Shaw summarized the ordinance to establish the salaries for employees in all of the other departments of the city, including both Non-Union and Union employees.
AFSCME employees have been attending council meetings and making public comments to ask for a raise. Shaw said the office of the mayor is still negotiating with the union, and will make an amendment to the budget once the decision is finalized.
Council Member Dave Rollo asked for updates on negotiations with the AFSCME union employees. Corporation Counsel Beth Cate said they have set up meetings with the union and plan to reach an agreement by mid-November.
During public comment on the ordinance AFSCME employee, Steve Robertson, asked the council to help guarantee AFSCME employees have a reasonable wage. He warned that if they don’t pay their workers enough they will be forced to quit.
Next, Steven French spoke on behalf of his fellow employees, and asked for a higher wage.
Rollo said that the city needs to keep pace with cost of living increases, and shared his experience working during the 2008 recession.
He explained why he will vote in favor of the ordinance due to the limitations of the council’s authority in the budget process; however, he hopes the office of the mayor will follow through to increase the contract in their negotiations.
Council Member Matt Flaherty explained further why the council does not have the authority to intervene on their contract, but he outlined what they can do to help.
The council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance to establish the salaries of city employees.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on October 19th.
Feature Report:
Up next, the latest episode of Lil Bub’s Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Stacy Bridavsky and Christine Brackenhoff.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
