Budget concerns now loom for Cottonwood Shores
Council members decided to table that discussion — and many others — at Thursday’s meeting at the Pfeifer Civic Center. The council said the city’s administrator’s request could put the city over its 2008-2009 budget.
Schneider told the council he needs the part-time worker to help with meter reading and carpentry projects 16 hours per week.
However, the city’s budget difficulties mean new employees are an unlikely possibility.
The council did grant several other requests by Schneider, including an organizational chart adopted as part of the budget for this fiscal year and payroll adjustments based on employee evaluations. A 3 percent cost of living increase for some city employees was also approved.
A new city ordinance was also authorized establishing the criteria for council appointments to boards and committees.
“I’m of the opinion we don’t need city staff on committees such as the Planning and Zoning commission, but we may want to leave some of the wording in the ordinance if we need input from city staff at a later time,” Place 2 Councilman Ray Whitis said.
Schneider also was given the green light to conduct personnel evaluations next July, a few months sooner than the current policy. He said the switch would allow him to ready next year’s city budget more quickly.
The council agreed to hold another workshop to discuss financial and procedural concerns for a number of items tabled at Thursday’s meeting.
A proposed contract between Cottonwood Shores and Christ-Yoder Animal Shelter for the collection of stray animals within the city was turned down. Schneider explained refusing the proposal could save the city money in the future.
“We have an offer from a resident who will take in animals at large with no valid identification. This person will arrange for foster care and feeding of the animals, and she has access to low-cost spaying and neutering services,” Schneider said. “She will determine adoptability of the animals, and if they are not adoptable, they will be turned over to the Christ-Yoder Animal Shelter.”
Schneider told the council his opinion was purely a cost-saving measure for the city.
byoung@thepicayune.com