But if the County Council expected smooth sailing before passage of its no-tax-increase spending plan Tuesday, they are as out of touch as some citizens claim.
The council found more than 100 county employees ready to do battle at a public hearing. Their beef: Their 1 percent cost-of-living increase is not enough to pay the bills.
“I don't have an SUV in my driveway. I don't have expensive tastes. I'm just a good little employee and would like to stay here,'' said Stephanie Woody, who has been with the county 23 years. “Please consider just a bit more so we can live comfortably, not exorbitantly.''
Kevin Schofield, executive director of the Utah Alliance of Public Employees, said inflation and prescription drug costs exceed the COLA amount. He called for a 2 percent increase for the county's 4,000-plus workforce.
Several employees said dealing with snide remarks from the public about recent scandals has been difficult. “Our ethics are not in question,'' Irene Webster pleaded. “We're not the ones that have been in the media.''
Members of the council were mostly sympathetic, but said a 2.75 percent merit increase coupled with the COLA seemed to be fair compensation. To give more, they said, would require a tax increase.
“We're spending more money than we're taking in on a year-to-year basis,'' said Councilman Russell Skousen. “Until we get that under control, we have to be fairly conservative in what we do.''
Yet one employee warned holding the line could lead to low morale. “It will be like Russia,'' he said. “You'll pretend to pay us and we'll pretend to work.''
An hour into the argument, Councilman Randy Horiuchi came unglued.
“You have single-handedly taken a guy who has fought for you for 13 years and you've disturbed him tonight,'' Horiuchi barked. “The legislature is so ticked off, they're stopping things because we pay you too much . . . We're the only jurisdiction on the planet that takes compensation first.''
Many in attendance began filing out during Horiuchi's tirade.
Before voting - the council ultimately approved the budget 8-0 - chairman Steve Harmsen told the throng the bulk of its revenue covers ever-rising insurance costs. “You've got to realize the hit we're taking and the hit we're absorbing on your behalf,'' he said.
The 2005 budget has no countywide property tax increase but does include one tax shift to pay for fire protection. Residents in the unincorporated area and Cottonwood Heights will get a reduction in their municipal services taxes, then a corresponding increase in taxes for the Unified Fire Authority.
The budget also funds Phase 1 of the Salt Palace expansion, provides increased police protection in the Cottonwood Canyons and aids the completion of new branch libraries in Draper and South Jordan.
djensen@sltrib.com
