Pay raise passes by police

Clovis City Commissioners approved pay raises for city workers at their regular meeting Thursday, but excluded, for now, those city police officers who have signed a petition to form a union.

Clovis Police Officers Association representative Randall M. Harris told the commissioners it was a “travesty” not to include the officers in the pay increases.

“There is no regulatory position that you cannot speak with us regarding wages, so long as we are not at the negotiating table,” Harris told the commission.

But city attorney Dave Richards said legal precedent has established that once a petition to form a union is filed all discussions must be carried out in accordance with the collect bargaining process.

Because of the steps required for a police union to be established, it could be months before such discussions can start, he said.

Police officers who attended the commission meeting said they were frustrated by the impasse.

Det. Kirk Roberts, president of the Clovis Police Officers Association, said the group’s members believe the pay model created with the city’s consultant, Mike Swallow of Personnel Systems and Service, is a “great model” that addresses the “human issues” of city pay problems. He asked city officials to talk to the association about the officers’ concerns.

“Our motivation is not monetary,” said Officer Max Stengell, outside the commission chambers. “We’re not looking to get rich. It’s strictly to improve the professionalism of the department.”

But Officer Tim Marshall said the root of the problem is monetary. With salaries so low, the department can’t attract enough officers or keep good ones, and many must work extra hours to support their families, he said.

Officer Erica Carr Romero said the long hours have put a strain on relationships among officers.

“I feel the camaraderie within our department is dissolving,” Romero said.

City Manager Raymond Mondragon told the commission that under the new pay plan, city employees will receive pay increases ranging from 4 percent to 12.5 percent, depending on the job.

Furthermore, the raises will go into effect on June 20, instead of in September, as is normal city practice, he said.

On a motion by City Commissioner Bobby Sandoval, the commission approved the pay proposal, plus an addition of 10 cents to all employees’ salaries.

Under the package, the total cost of employees’ wages will be $490,000. The cost of the extra 10 cents will be $75,000, said City Finance Director Don Clifton.

In other business:

• The commission passed a resolution setting policy for spending the city’s one-quarter percent gross receipt tax increase. Revenue from the tax is estimated to be $1.1 million in fiscal year 2004-2005 and $1.4 million in 2005-2006.

Under the policy, police and fire departments will get $225,000 in 2004-2005, and $280,000 in 2005-2006. Residential street improvements will get $340,000 in 2004-2005, and $420,000 in 2005-2006. The Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Authority will get $340,000 in 2004-2005, and $420,000 in 2005-2006.

• The commission passed a resolution setting a policy limiting city budget transfers to three times a year, in September, December and March. The resolution states the transfers should be only for emergency needs approved by the city manager; for expenditures of money donated to the city; and expenditures needed to implement grant programs.

• The commissioners approved a $1,500 allocation to pay two convention center managers who visited Clovis May 27 to provide a peer review of the plans for the city civic center. But they criticized city staff for presenting the bill after the consultants had already performed their services.