May 17, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Council Votes To Support
Amended AFSCME Contract
DECATUR - The Decatur City Council on Monday approved an amended agreement with one of the city’s labor unions expected to save local taxpayers more than $60,000 during this fiscal year.
As per terms of the amended agreement, membership from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) agreed to reduce the amount of the contractual wage increase they were set to receive this year from 3 to 2 percent. Both the city and AFSCME also agreed to extend the labor contract between the two sides for one year with union membership receiving a one percent increase during that additional year.
The two sides also agreed that AFSCME employees laid-off as part of the budget approved in April will be allowed for the next 60 days to take the civil service exam and receive preferred consideration for civil service positions if they become open.
The amended agreement is expected to save about $67,000 this year, which can be added to the $90,000 expected to be saved as part of the Decatur Police union’s agreement to also forego a portion of its contractual raises this year.
In other business the council agreed to fund the creation and installation of a sign detailing the history of the Transfer House, located in Central Park. The Transfer House has undergone significant renovation yet currently there is nothing to identify the venerable Decatur landmark in the park.
City staff worked closely with Pat McDaniel, Executive Director for the Macon County History Museum and Prairie Village, to design the sign.
The council also voted in favor of buying five additional cameras for vehicles in the Decatur Police Department fleet, adding to the 15 cameras that were installed last year.
Contact Billy Tyus at 424-2753 for more information.