Logansport councilmen want city employees to get a stipend
Jun. 25—They went where many didn't want to go.
During the height of the pandemic, when employees were ordered to stay home, to work remotely, or quarantine, police officers and firefighters kept front-line watch. This often included responding to gas leaks, medical emergencies, and house fires.
And it didn't matter if the one needing help was suffering from COVID symptoms, safety personnel responded to the calls. Even if that meant going without personal protective equipment when it wasn't readily available.
This fortitude and desire to step up when needed is one reason why two City Council members are pushing to have certain funds of the city's upcoming stimulus monies earmarked for stipend payments to city employees.
Earlier projections revealed that Logansport could receive around $3.6 million from President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package from March.
Since then, cities have been waiting on rules and regulations regarding how the money could be spent. "We're still waiting on the final report. We don't have a final analysis of what we're going to have to follow," said Duane Ullom, city clerk-treasurer. "We don't have any money yet, but once they're ready to hand out payments, ours will come in two installments. It won't be a lump sum."
If the report states that dollars could be used as a one-time stipend for city workers, then councilmembers Larry Hood and Scott Peattie would like each of the approximate 120 employees to get a $1,500 check. Elected officials and part-time employees would be exempt.
"Every employee is important," Peattie said, "so all should get the same amount. This is important. It's good for the morale."
Hood agreed, adding that 2020 halted any pay raises for city employees, which is why a one-time payment might be a great way to show these individuals that they have the support of the city.
Money would not come from the general budget, nor would it in any way be linked to the increase in trash fees, said Hood, wanting to make sure people understand that the city would not even be able to contemplate this idea if not for the president's stimulus package.
These dollars would not "come out of the city's pocket," he emphasized, recognizing that any desire to follow through with this plan is fully contingent on the guidelines.
Right now, Ullom said, "there are no definite criteria yet. Early reports (indicate) that additional funds could be used for front-line workers affected during the pandemic, including safety workers, but the gray area is where they draw that line."
For instance, he said, there are no signs that monies could be used for cemetery or park personnel. There are no signs that employees at the clerk-treasurer's office or the building commissioner's office would be able to receive monies. "It's all still in flux."
So while it may be premature to discuss ways to spend money when not even a cent has arrived, Hood and Peattie are anticipating one way in which they would like to have a small portion of the funds used.
By the next Finance Committee meeting, tentatively set for July 19th, Hood and Peattie hope specific guidelines will be in place.
But Ullom cautions that nothing may be immediate. After all, unless an Indiana metropolitan city, monies have not been released yet. Then, cities have four years to spend those funds. Every dime must be meticulously accounted for so when audited, "we have proof," he said, adding that in the end, "a plan for spending will have to be put out and approved by council."
Reach Kristi Hileman at kristi.hileman@pharostribune.com or 574-732-5150
