In response to a Letter to the Editor on Aug. 6 [“Resident wants to see budget cuts”],I would like to clarify something very important stated in this letter. The City Commissioners did not approve to pay $900,000 to move the generator building for the Wellfield project on SW 10 Street. The Commission approved to spend $278,000 to move the building and the Floridan Well. The funds will come from the Bond that passed in 2008 and is NOT an expense affecting the General Budget. The mayor, commissioners, city manager, city staff and contractors spent uncounted hours to work to have the generator building moved away from the original plan, where it was located a few feet from single-family residential homes. The funds to accommodate this better location will not be reflected in an increase to water rates or a change in the city’s tax base.
Denise Bogner
Waterford Homes Resident
Deerfield Beach
Firefighters’ contract negotiations
Dear Editor:
As published in last week’s Observer [Aug. 6], the firefighter’s union is once again strong- arming its way to the city feeding trough in search of more pay and more benefits, but with no change in its antiquated work rules. For example, three union employees per ambulance run in Deerfield Beach, compared to the more commonly-held standard of two adopted by other fire-rescue organizations (as published recently in the Observer). According to the Observer, they are asking for a three-year deal with 4 percent cost of living adjustments [COLA] in each of those years. If only the taxpayers of Deerfield Beach were receiving such increases in their pensions, investment accounts or home values. The union is also asking for comp time buyouts, which requires the city to pay out cash it doesn’t have for a benefit the city never should have agreed to. Most companies offer comp time on a use it or lose it basis for up to 12 months. Why can’t our firefighters have the same program?
Believe it or not, I am a strong supporter of our firefighters. They are dedicated, hard-working public servants who deserve to be rewarded with fair compensation and benefit programs that support themselves and their families, and are affordable by the taxpayer base. What I do not support are the spiraling costs and/or reluctance to adjust to more efficient work rules of any public servant organization that does not consider the state of the economy and the financial position of the taxpayers when that organization demands more and more. The city employees not represented by the firefighters union are being asked to sacrifice cost of living and merit increases for at least the next 12 months and possibly longer according to the Observer. Those same employees have been subject to layoffs and reduced hours. Perhaps the leadership of the firefighters union should consider a less aggressive bargaining position this time around. What do you think?
David Nace
Deerfield Beach
Minimum Wage increase
Dear Editor:
If I have done the math correctly, the minimum wage hike [in the July 30 issue of the Observer] represents a 9 percent increase in wages — good for the teenagers and older workers. HOWEVER, the additional payroll, insurance (both medical and liability [as payroll is incorporated into premiums]) and tax increase to small business owners, who represent the MAJORITY of employees, SHOULD ALSO BE REPORTED. Hence, this will most definitely add to unemployment as small business owners continue to suffer to make ends meet. In turn, those left earning an additional 9 percent will work harder as their co-worker/workers have been let go to make ends meet. THEN, the small business owner pays an additional percentage for the unemployment percentage quarterly for those applying.
Anyone thinking about the “big” picture? Where are the winners?
