The Plattsburgh Common Council was scheduled to vote Thursday evening on a proposal to reestablish a compensation policy for certain managers in the city. But the measure was tabled.
A few years ago the city of Plattsburgh designated a new managerial class that would be given a negotiable starting salary that is also eligible for discretionary salary increases. Other managerial levels are more rigid with pre-defined starting salaries and raise structures. In 2018, the city council rescinded the Level IV designation. Four employees were re-classified and as a result received smaller raises.
The proposal before the city council recreates the Level IV management salary and raise flexibility for those managers. For any new hires the mayor would recommend a salary to be confirmed by the common council. Annual salary would be approved by the council as part of the budget process.
Ward 3 Democrat Elizabeth Gibbs felt the proposal needed clarification. “My suggestion is that we come up with a more thorough process of evaluating, to tighten up the process. I think that we should look into research that supports this more thoroughly. I just I would be more comfortable with this being on the agenda as something we decide on if we had more concrete information. I don’t object to the Level IV. But I just am not ready to vote on it personally because I don’t think we have enough information yet.”
Ward 1 Democrat Rachelle Armstrong doubts whether there is a need for the policy. “I really debate the value of it. So I don’t know whether we need to rush into this. I think it needs to be a thoroughly vetted idea. And I haven’t seen anything that recommends it you know formally.”
Gibbs and Armstrong were quizzed as to what further details they need. Ward 4 Independent Peter Ensel: “Correct me if I’m wrong, Elizabeth, what you’re asking for is an evaluative process and not something that is arbitrary?”
Gibbs: “Yeah I really would feel more comfortable with something very concrete. And also to Rachelle’s point I think there also needs to be more research to back it up so that if it’s something we decide we really want to move forward with we do have a very strong case rather than something you know based on opinion. And I think that’s what’s missing. I don’t object to it. I’m just saying as it stands right now it’s just not fully vetted as Rachelle said.”
Armstrong noted that some communities conduct full-scale studies before making a decision on such a policy change. “I think it’s really hasty and premature to think of even considering it for next week. I don’t see how we could possibly do all the work that would be necessary in order to vet this system.”
But Mayor Colin Read explained it mirrors other cities’ systems. “This is merely to adopt the system that most all of the municipalities in New York uses. A system where the salary and the raises for level, employees, managers are determined by the council each year.”
Councilors tabled the measure on a 4 to 2 vote.
