Raisin Township Board rejects reduction in pay for township staff

Raisin Township Supervisor Jay Cavanaugh made the recommendation to reduce the hours and pay of some township officials, which was rejected at the Monday, Sept. 8, meeting. “I believe we can save a considerable amount by restructuring our hours to three hours a day,” said Cavanaugh. “Right now, the treasurer, clerk and supervisor essentially have part time jobs, but get full time pay and benefits. There are a lot of people who are killing themselves to get not even half as much as what they are getting.” According to information obtained from the township, clerk Betty Holdridge receives a salary of $28,984 per year, with a $2,400 pension and $23,572 health insurance package. Treasurer Kami Johnson receives a salary of $28,984 per year, with a $2,400 pension and $15,497 health insurance package. Cavanaugh receives $30,172 per year with a $2,400 pension. Cavanaugh receives health insurance through his main employer. The three positions receive a pension in lieu of Social Security. Holdridge and Johnson pay 80/20 percent on their health insurance.Cavanaugh estimated the restructuring could save the township between $50,000 and $100,000. He suggested moving to a three-hour workday. Currently, Holdridge and Johnson work eight hours a day, three days a week. Cavanaugh felt that working 24 hours a week with health benefits was what he called “governmental waste.” However, Township Attorney David Lacasse educated the board that reducing an elected official’s salary was not easy. “In order to reduce the income of an elected official during their term, you have to have a reduction in duties, not just hours, and a written acquiescence,” said Lacasse. Both terms would have to be satisfied for an official’s pay to be reduced. Respectively, if an elected official seeks to reduce their own pay but has no reduction in duties, they have to take the money, Lacasse explained. Cavanaugh asked if the same was true in regards to benefits and Lacasse said he would have to find out.“There’s just not that much done,” said Cavanaugh. “I have seen it first hand. I have been in the office. There is a lot time spent on the Internet. There is a lot time spent on Facebook. There’s a lot of time spent not working. I’ve seen it. I think it’s wrong.”“I see the work firsthand,” said Trustee Tom Hawkins. “Three hours a day will not do it. We offer a lot of services. Every time I come over here, they are working hard.”Hawkins added that he knew both Johnson and Holdridge oftentimes take work home. “They have a lot of responsibility,” said Trustee Debra Brousseau. “They are kind of the backbone of the township that keeps the township running smoothly. If anything, I’d rather see our hours expand.” Both Johnson and Holdridge said that a reduction in hours would not be beneficial, especially right now as they are working on absentee ballots and taxes. “I think you need to be here everyday,” said Trustee Dale Mitchell.Cavanaugh suggested working more hours.“I think if we want to make it something where we can provide more services to our residents, let’s move it up to 30 hours a week so it looks like full time work,” said Cavanaugh. Trustee Larry Crittenden said the budget committee looked at next year’s proposed budget and didn’t make any recommendations for changes in regards to salary or benefits. No action was taken to reduce or expand hours.At Monday’s meeting, the board also approved, on a 7-0 vote, to accept the bid from Westfall Sealing and Striping of Adrian for seal coating the parking lot at the township’s community center. The cost is $2,015.46, which was budgeted.The board then approved authorizing Interim Supt. Jim Palmer to have repairs made to the community center that were outlined and suggested by Hawkins at the regular meeting in August. Palmer can spend up to $7,000 on such things as fixing the gutters, repairing the foundation of a rotting door and painting. In other business, the board:• Was presented with a draft of the 2015 budget. They will review the draft and set a date for a public hearing. The fiscal year begins January 1. • Hired two new firefighters.

Tecumseh Herald

 

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