CATLETTSBURG — Catlettsburg leaders have approved a 3 percent pay raise for employees and will continue to fully pay their health insurance benefits in the coming fiscal year.
The Catlettsburg City Council voted 4-1 to give employees the 3 percent raise, after Councilman Don Wellman raised concerns about the issue. He was the lone dissenting vote against the wage increase.
Wellman said he objected because all employees received raises at least twice last year, first when the council overhauled the city’s pay scale and then when they were given an across the board cost of living raise. Wellman said with the current economic slowdown, he felt the city should be more cautious with its expenditures.
Catlettsburg’s officials project they will spend approximately $1.7 million in the fiscal year beginning July 1, roughly a $200,000 increase over the current year. Total revenues are estimated at $1.7 million as well.
Occupational license fees and insurance premium taxes are expected to be the two largest revenue sources, bringing in $580,000 each. Property tax revenues are estimated to grow to $195,000 from $188,029 based on an aggressive delinquent collection campaign, Mayor Pauline Hunt said.
The city’s net profit tax is projected to raise $70,000 while the city’s franchise fees will bring in $84,894. The sewer rates are expected to net $463,000.
Catlettsburg’s largest expenditures are salaries and health insurance benefits. Officials expect to spend $908,245 on salaries and related taxes while health care will cost the city another $263,856. The city’s health care costs increased 4 percent over the last year.
The city’s expenditures on contracted professional services is also expected to jump from $69,401 to an estimated $85,000.
Hunt said the extra cost can be attributed to the new city attorney and the hiring of an independent firm to do the city’s ad valorem taxes. She said those expenses should decline in subsequent years.
Hunt said the budget was prepared to “avoid placing any additional burdens or cutting essential services on residents.”
CARRIE STAMBAUGH can be reached at cstambaugh@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.
Local News
Raise approved in Catlettsburg
Voted to continue fully paying health insurance benefits
- Local News
-
-
TIM PRESTON: Karats, peaches, wings and brews, old couches and new beauty
Weekly business column from Tim Preston.
-
Come on in!
It’s time to grab a towel, some sunscreen and your shades — pools in the Tri-State are nearing their opening dates and are bound to provide some days of fun this summer.
-
Pooches take to the street in Dog Jog
They were running with the big dogs Saturday in Grayson.
-
A Smith Branch Legacy
Six generations of Robinsons have called Smith Branch home.
-
Court battle heating up over stretch of blacktop
The court fight is just heating up over a block-long stretch of blacktop in Grayson.
More parties are piling on in the lawsuit accusing Grayson of passing an illegal ordinance to take ownership of the pavement. -
Regional jails ‘a total failure’
As the debate over a proposal to create a new Northeast Regional Jail Authority continues, some officials with the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville are watching closely.
-
Beshear in West Liberty to help in tornado recovery
State legislatures and Gov. Steve Beshear gathered in West Liberty on Friday to sign three bills that will help in the recovery efforts of the tornado-stricken town.
-
Students get more than a scoop’s share
There’s nothing more refreshing than ice cream on a hot day, and no one knows that better than the principal of Hager Elementary School in Ashland.
-
2 school aides part of drug arrests
Two elementary school aides and three other people were arrested Thursday in a Carter County drug investigation.
-
5K run main attraction for Final Friday in Greenup
Greenup’s Final Friday included the usual live entertainment and car show, but a 5K run also attracted many to town Friday evening.
- More Local News Headlines
-
TIM PRESTON: Karats, peaches, wings and brews, old couches and new beauty
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
