White Springs town manager declines raise - Suwannee Democrat: News Page 1 of 2

tBill Lawrence

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White Springs town manager declines raiseBy Joyce Marie Taylor joycemarie.taylor@gafInews.com I Posted: Thursday, February 26,

2015 11:00 am

White Springs Town Manager Bill Lawrence advised

the town council on Tuesday, Feb. 10, that he was

declining the salary increase that is due him after

completing his first 180 days of employment, which

was spelled out in his employment agreement, but

unfortunately not budgeted for.

"When we worked together and agreed to offer the

employment package to Bill Lawrence, we did say that in

six months we would do a review and offer

an increase in salary, based on performance," White Springs Town Manager BillMayor Helen Miller said to the other council Lawrencemembers.

Finance Director/Town Clerk Pam Tomlinson offered a recommendation, noting that they had a very

tight budget when negotiations were completed for the current fiscal year. However, she said they had

some savings from the COPS grant that was extended of about $5,200.

"That would help to give Lawrence an increase of $5,000 for the remainder of the fiscal year," said

Tomlinson. To do that, we would need approximately $3,600."

Miller noted the $3,600 would be the pro-rated amount that would be given to Lawrence for the

remainder of the fiscal year.

"That would be my recommendation," Tomlinson said. "I would like to add that it has been a

pleasure working with Lawrence these past six months. He's a very professional gentleman and

he's honest. It's been a pleasure working with you and for you," she told Lawrence.

Lawrence was visibly humbled and asked to make a comment.

"We didn't budget for my raise," he said. "I do appreciate this and I do appreciate the comments, but to

take this money from what I think is a line item for the police department..." he added, trailing off and

shaking his head.

Miller interrupted and stated that the money would in no way conflict with the COPS grant fund

allocation.

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"If you don't feel good about taking an increase in salary, we won't feel bad about not giving it to you,"

said Councilman Rhett Bullard, which drew laughter from everyone.

Even Lawrence laughed and said, "You didn't let me finish."

Lawrence again said he was appreciative that the town thought he was doing a good job and was

deserving of the raise, but he said he didn't think it was right to accept it since it wasn't budgeted

for.

"For me to get a raise and not the other employees to get a raise, is tough for me to accept," he

said.

He suggested that an across the board raise for all the staff utilizing the extra funds would be more

acceptable to him because they didn't get a raise this year.

"You can do with it what you want, but that's how I feel," said Lawrence.

Councilman Willie Jefferson said he agreed with Lawrence that the money should be divided

among all the employees and he made a motion as such, which was seconded by Councilwoman

Tonja Brown.

After some discussion about whether or not the other town employees felt comfortable with

accepting a proportionate raise from those funds, Bullard interjected that it needed to be accepted

by the town's citizens. He noted that earlier in the meeting it was brought up that a fire hydrant on

CR 25A was not working and in need of repairs that would cost about $4,800.

"So, now that fire hydrant is going to stay not working, but we're going to give a salary increase to

everybody at town hall," said Bullard. "So, when there is a house that catches on fire on CR 25A and

we can't service them for the service that they're paying for, I want us to rememberthat. 51

Bullard said he thought public safety was more important than giving out raises. After even more

discussion, including the possibility of obtaining a safety grant to repair the hydrant, it was agreed to

table the previous motion and move forward with Lawrence trying to find an alternative way to repair

the hydrant before voting on what to do about his salary increase.

Miller thanked Lawrence for putting the welfare of the town ahead of his own needs.