City's next budget could include 5.5% COLA raises

In another budget workshop last night, Kilgore City Council agreed that city buildings need more than one custodian, but did not see where the city needed to hire another full-time employee to carry out this duty.

Instead council agreed to contract with a company that would sent in a nine-man crew as needed to get the job done.

The budget will not be approved until after a public hearing next month.

While council could not see hiring another custodian, they did agree that the city should seek another full-time code enforcement officer.

Jeff Howell, city manager, has been adamant about the fact that Kilgore could use the second officer.

Janice Hancock, mayor pro tem, said she has no problem with hiring a second code enforcement officer, but "they need to be out in the field working."

Discussing payroll costs, the council found that some city employees are looking at a 9 percent raise this year. The biggest raises would go to those who are due a "step" increase in addition to the proposed cost-of-living raise.

"The City of Kilgore is blessed with the employees we've got," Joe Parker, Kilgore mayor, said. "I don't think we're overstaffed and the ones we have do an excellent job. Some wear two hats; some wear five. I am in favor of a step increase."

In addition to a step increase employees are slated to receive a cost of living adjustment (COLA).

"I think the rate we're looking at (5.5 percent) is not affordable for most businesses in this city," Ronnie Spradlin, councilman, said. "But, with the cost of groceries and gas, if we can afford the raise we should offer it.

Howell said the city's property values increased by 25 percent this year and would fund the staff raises.

The council also earmarked $5,000 for Kilgore Crisis Center. Also, the city is expected to use left-over construction funds for more construction on Maverick Drive. The budget also budgets $200,000 for Martin Luther King Park.