Dec. 11, 2007
CITY COUNCIL: Request for Health Insurance "Cap" Approved; Vacant Buildings Registration Finally Passed
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Writer
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Regardless of whether it's called a request or not, Huntington City Council approved a $5.5 million dollar a year "cap" on employee health insurance costs at their Monday meeting.
The resolution proposes to level the benefits ''playing field' during the city's negotiations with the Huntington Fire Department. The Huntington Police Department and other workers have contract expirations of June 30, 2008. The HFD's contract expires January 1, 2008.
But Carl Eastham, president of the firefighters local, said the resolution would “probably bring a stop to [ongoing] negotiations,” adding that the firefighters had previously taken less in wages for stronger health insurance benefits.
Eastham, whose helmet melted during an Emmons Junior Apartment fire rescue attempt, compared Huntington’s starting firefighter wage ($36,000 a year) to three random Ohio cities. His Internet research found that Cincinnati firefighters start at $56,000 a year, Springdale pays $52,000 a year for its rookies and Middletown pays $48,000 a year.
Although Huntington employees pay $12.50 per month individually and $25 for a family for their portion of their insurance, the range of municipal employee out-of-pocket costs in the three comparison cities ran $25/$50, $50/$75 and $50/$100.
Retired firefighter and current councilman P. D. Adkins kept the proposal from splitting the body along labor and administration lines. Adkins emphasized that the resolution's passing didn't create a firm commandment; he characterized it as a “proactive suggestion" as negations continue. “I do not perceive this as a threat [to retirees or employees] because this is (only) a request.”
Council member James Insco supported the resolution "in principle," but said he remained uncomfortable with the origination of the $5.5 million dollar cap.
Sponsor Dr. Calvin Kent said the resolution's passage was within the budget approving purview of council. “We cannot wait until March [when the budget is addressed]. We have to say ‘enough is enough’ on health care.”
Kent, who is barred by term limits from running for reelection, explained that the city should put the word out to all health insurance carriers to “bring us proposals,” but not fill in specifics. “What is possible for a reasonable amount of money?,” he asked rhetorically.
Under Kent’s request, the administration would not limit itself to the either Blue Cross or PEIA options. He explained that offers should be sought now, before any employee contract renewals are reached. “Go out and get bids,” Kent stressed, “Bargaining without bids is a farce.”
Responding to Eastham’s accusation that this proposal had an electioneering agenda, the lame duck councilman countered that “firemen make more than teachers here. This will not impede bargaining unless they are looking for an excuse to quit.”
He also pointed out that the cost of living and median incomes in the respective Ohio cities had not been computed so the example figures were meaningless.
Prior to the vote, Kent acknowledged that the $5.5 million cap could be “changed,” as it had been derived from a fiscal year high, which even Eastham said, “We're working to lessen.”
The resolution passed 8-2; James Insco and Frances Jackson voted against it; Scott Caserta was absent.
VACANT BUILDINGS
A procedural maneuver by sponsor James Insco delayed the fourth reading of the vacant building registration ordinance. Anticipating dissension from the audience, Insco moved to table the ordinance which was slated to be fifth on the agenda. After approval for tabling, Insco then moved, prior to Good & Welfare, to bring the item back before the body.
The maneuver took activist mayoral candidate Tom McCallister by surprise. In fact, when speaking in opposition, he told Insco that he thought the matter had been reconsidered.
McCallister delivered a livid objection to the ordinance, not its specifics, but it’s legality in the State of West Virginia. Since a “land bank” provision has been included in the home rule proposal to the legislature, McCallister contended that the “vacant building” ordinance, which was based on an out-of-state model, would, like the land bank, issue require separate legislative approval as it is, in his belief, against West Virginia law.
The activist and mayoral candidate maintained that by voting on the ordinance council members would violate their oath to uphold the state constitution and the city charter.
Paul Farrell, vice chairman of council who sat in as chair for Caserta and an attorney, essentially told McCallister to take the matter to court.
The ordinance requires property owners to notify the city of vacancy after a specific period of time. If the property is not maintained, the ordinance charges an escalating fee each year that it remains vacant.
It passed unanimously.
B & O TAX INCENTIVES
Council heard first reading of a P. D. Adkins sponsored ordinance that would give tax incentives, particularly in the manufacturing and service industries, for businesses that locate in Huntington. Adkins told council that “we need to look at incentives for businesses already operating [in the city limits],” adding that he had heard two physician’s groups are contemplating relocation outside of the city limits.
The measure has been referred to the Finance Committee for additional study.
OTHER BUSINESS
Council approved a contract with West Virginia Electric to install four propeller fans and four power inverters at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena, endorsed the Recreational Trails project, and accepted a grant that will be used to hold the RibFest in 2008.
Recent Firefighter retirees David Riggs, Thomas Stull and Cecil Simmons were honored.
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Writer
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Regardless of whether it's called a request or not, Huntington City Council approved a $5.5 million dollar a year "cap" on employee health insurance costs at their Monday meeting.
The resolution proposes to level the benefits ''playing field' during the city's negotiations with the Huntington Fire Department. The Huntington Police Department and other workers have contract expirations of June 30, 2008. The HFD's contract expires January 1, 2008.
But Carl Eastham, president of the firefighters local, said the resolution would “probably bring a stop to [ongoing] negotiations,” adding that the firefighters had previously taken less in wages for stronger health insurance benefits.
Eastham, whose helmet melted during an Emmons Junior Apartment fire rescue attempt, compared Huntington’s starting firefighter wage ($36,000 a year) to three random Ohio cities. His Internet research found that Cincinnati firefighters start at $56,000 a year, Springdale pays $52,000 a year for its rookies and Middletown pays $48,000 a year.
Although Huntington employees pay $12.50 per month individually and $25 for a family for their portion of their insurance, the range of municipal employee out-of-pocket costs in the three comparison cities ran $25/$50, $50/$75 and $50/$100.
Retired firefighter and current councilman P. D. Adkins kept the proposal from splitting the body along labor and administration lines. Adkins emphasized that the resolution's passing didn't create a firm commandment; he characterized it as a “proactive suggestion" as negations continue. “I do not perceive this as a threat [to retirees or employees] because this is (only) a request.”
Council member James Insco supported the resolution "in principle," but said he remained uncomfortable with the origination of the $5.5 million dollar cap.
Sponsor Dr. Calvin Kent said the resolution's passage was within the budget approving purview of council. “We cannot wait until March [when the budget is addressed]. We have to say ‘enough is enough’ on health care.”
Kent, who is barred by term limits from running for reelection, explained that the city should put the word out to all health insurance carriers to “bring us proposals,” but not fill in specifics. “What is possible for a reasonable amount of money?,” he asked rhetorically.
Under Kent’s request, the administration would not limit itself to the either Blue Cross or PEIA options. He explained that offers should be sought now, before any employee contract renewals are reached. “Go out and get bids,” Kent stressed, “Bargaining without bids is a farce.”
Responding to Eastham’s accusation that this proposal had an electioneering agenda, the lame duck councilman countered that “firemen make more than teachers here. This will not impede bargaining unless they are looking for an excuse to quit.”
He also pointed out that the cost of living and median incomes in the respective Ohio cities had not been computed so the example figures were meaningless.
Prior to the vote, Kent acknowledged that the $5.5 million cap could be “changed,” as it had been derived from a fiscal year high, which even Eastham said, “We're working to lessen.”
The resolution passed 8-2; James Insco and Frances Jackson voted against it; Scott Caserta was absent.
VACANT BUILDINGS
A procedural maneuver by sponsor James Insco delayed the fourth reading of the vacant building registration ordinance. Anticipating dissension from the audience, Insco moved to table the ordinance which was slated to be fifth on the agenda. After approval for tabling, Insco then moved, prior to Good & Welfare, to bring the item back before the body.
The maneuver took activist mayoral candidate Tom McCallister by surprise. In fact, when speaking in opposition, he told Insco that he thought the matter had been reconsidered.
McCallister delivered a livid objection to the ordinance, not its specifics, but it’s legality in the State of West Virginia. Since a “land bank” provision has been included in the home rule proposal to the legislature, McCallister contended that the “vacant building” ordinance, which was based on an out-of-state model, would, like the land bank, issue require separate legislative approval as it is, in his belief, against West Virginia law.
The activist and mayoral candidate maintained that by voting on the ordinance council members would violate their oath to uphold the state constitution and the city charter.
Paul Farrell, vice chairman of council who sat in as chair for Caserta and an attorney, essentially told McCallister to take the matter to court.
The ordinance requires property owners to notify the city of vacancy after a specific period of time. If the property is not maintained, the ordinance charges an escalating fee each year that it remains vacant.
It passed unanimously.
B & O TAX INCENTIVES
Council heard first reading of a P. D. Adkins sponsored ordinance that would give tax incentives, particularly in the manufacturing and service industries, for businesses that locate in Huntington. Adkins told council that “we need to look at incentives for businesses already operating [in the city limits],” adding that he had heard two physician’s groups are contemplating relocation outside of the city limits.
The measure has been referred to the Finance Committee for additional study.
OTHER BUSINESS
Council approved a contract with West Virginia Electric to install four propeller fans and four power inverters at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena, endorsed the Recreational Trails project, and accepted a grant that will be used to hold the RibFest in 2008.
Recent Firefighter retirees David Riggs, Thomas Stull and Cecil Simmons were honored.
