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City of Richmond Approves $1,000 per employee raise
File photo: On Tuesday Richmond City Commissioner Rita Smart again called for a personnel audit to find out which city employees are adequately performing their duties.
RICHMOND – The Richmond City Commission passed the 2009-2010 budget ordinance, which includes a $1,000 raise for every city employee.
In a unanimous vote, the commission approved the budget for $25 million in general fund expenditures. See more detail of the city budget on the City of Richmond Web site
First-term city commissioner Rita Smart sounded a cautious note, however, urging city employees to dedicate themselves to their work in the wake of the pay increase.
During a discussion of a related measure concerning classification of employees, Smart stated:
“I would reiterate that personnel costs are eating up this budget,” Smart said. “Therefore, employees should not take their positions lightly.”
Richmond Mayor Connie Lawson concurred, noting, “I think these days anybody is grateful for a job they have.”
Since taking office, Smart has been calling for a management audit to evaluate the contribution that every city employee is making to their respective department.
Following Tuesday’s meeting, Smart said this is an especially important time for the city to examine where it can operate most efficiently.
“I just think that people ought to look at the most efficient ways of doing their jobs,” Smart said. “There are always more efficient ways you can do something, whether it’s using technology, maintaining what you already have, keeping good records, that type of thing.
“I’d like us to do an employee evaluation,” Smart added “Right now the employees got a $1,000 raise. I want to know what they [citizens] are going to get for that $1,000.”
The first step is firmly establishing the mission of each department, as well as that of each employee, Smart said.
“I want them to realize that they need to set goals and objectives of what they are going to work on in their departments to serve the citizens, then when they’re done, tell us what they did,” Smart said. “If they can’t show their worth, we don’t need them.”
Earlier this year, Mayor Lawson acknowledged there are some complaints within the office concerning employee productively, with some people doing a lot of work, while others, in Lawson’s words, “play games.”
City employees also need to know that citizens are paying attention to what the city is doing, according to Smart.
“I feel it’s my role to bring it to the attention of the employees that taxpayers are looking to them to maintain certain standards and to keep working,” Smart said. “But some people just don’t appreciate their jobs.”
Berea KY News, Richmond Ky News, Madison County KY News.
In a unanimous vote, the commission approved the budget for $25 million in general fund expenditures. See more detail of the city budget on the City of Richmond Web site
First-term city commissioner Rita Smart sounded a cautious note, however, urging city employees to dedicate themselves to their work in the wake of the pay increase.
During a discussion of a related measure concerning classification of employees, Smart stated:
“I would reiterate that personnel costs are eating up this budget,” Smart said. “Therefore, employees should not take their positions lightly.”
Richmond Mayor Connie Lawson concurred, noting, “I think these days anybody is grateful for a job they have.”
Since taking office, Smart has been calling for a management audit to evaluate the contribution that every city employee is making to their respective department.
Following Tuesday’s meeting, Smart said this is an especially important time for the city to examine where it can operate most efficiently.
“I just think that people ought to look at the most efficient ways of doing their jobs,” Smart said. “There are always more efficient ways you can do something, whether it’s using technology, maintaining what you already have, keeping good records, that type of thing.
“I’d like us to do an employee evaluation,” Smart added “Right now the employees got a $1,000 raise. I want to know what they [citizens] are going to get for that $1,000.”
The first step is firmly establishing the mission of each department, as well as that of each employee, Smart said.
“I want them to realize that they need to set goals and objectives of what they are going to work on in their departments to serve the citizens, then when they’re done, tell us what they did,” Smart said. “If they can’t show their worth, we don’t need them.”
Earlier this year, Mayor Lawson acknowledged there are some complaints within the office concerning employee productively, with some people doing a lot of work, while others, in Lawson’s words, “play games.”
City employees also need to know that citizens are paying attention to what the city is doing, according to Smart.
“I feel it’s my role to bring it to the attention of the employees that taxpayers are looking to them to maintain certain standards and to keep working,” Smart said. “But some people just don’t appreciate their jobs.”
Berea KY News, Richmond Ky News, Madison County KY News.