Harford County Council held a public hearing for the government employee bonuses bill.
County Executive David Craig, who was not present, has recommended that county, public schools and library employees should receive a one-time $1,250 bonus. Craig's proposal is in light of the county's $32 million surplus.
Read highlights from the County Council meeting to see reaction from council members and union leaders.
9:15
The meeting is adjourned.
9:12
Councilman Slutzky said Aberdeen Councilwoman Ruth Ann Young has arranged the Maryland Transportation Authority to present a plan for the revitalization of downtown Aberdeen for next week's County Council meeting.
9:03
Councilman Guthrie said he wants state deligation to look into legislation for biodegradable crabbing cages to save sea creatures that become stuck in cages are lost from fishermen.
8:54
Councilman Slutzky accepts his role as the council vice president for next year.
8:52
The "emergency" water and sewer capital project fund balance transfer bill was approved 7-0. In addition, the water and sewer capital program resolution was approved 7-0.
8:49
The building and mechanics codes 2012 bill with approved ammendements was approved 7-0.
8:45
Ammendements to the funds balance transfer -- special pays bill will not be voted on.
8:44
Ammendments to the building and mechanics codes 2012, which includes the requirement of fire sprinklers in single-family houses and duplexes, were approved 6-1 with Councilwoman Lisanti voting no.
8:29
Ammendments to the ethics code repeal were approved 7-0.
8:22
Ammendents to the ethics code repeal, building and mechanics codes 2012 and funds balance transfer -- special pays were introduced.
8:15
The pawnbrokers, personnel -- classified service, tax credit for properties near refuse disposal system, water and sewer code changes -- connection charges and water and sewer rates and usage bills were introduced.
8:08
The Water and Sewer Capital Program resolution was not introduced. Boniface recommends waiting until after the previously mentioned water and sewer bill (6:34) is voted on.
8:06
Councilman Richard Slutzky gives the opening prayer.
8:04
The legislative session is now begining.
7:51
The public hearing has ended.
7:49
A Harford County resident argues with Boniface to testify even though she did not sign up beforehand.
7:42
Dave Pridgeon, a Harford County resident: "I stand tonight as a tired man." This money needs to go into a rainy day fund. There could be heavy layoffs in future years, and we need to prepare for future years. The only winner is David Craig, who is running for governor and trying to build relations with the unions.
7:37
Harfound County Education Association President Randy Cerveny: While we agree with additional compensation for educational employees, we don't agree with the Craig's proposal. It should be left to the Board of Education as to how these funds should be distributed.
7:31
Michael Keeney of the Maryland Classified Employees Association: We've been partnering with county since 1973. "Now is the time for the county to keep it's promise" and approve the government employee bonuses.
7:25
Verna White, a resident of Baldwin: The taxpayers should have known about the tax surplus as soon as Craig found out. I'm asking you to vote no in hopes of returning the entire $32 million to the taxpayers.
7:22
Public testimony is now open.
7:21
Boniface: It's the unknown of the next budgeting cycle that makes us concerned to spend this money now.
7:18
Giorno: There is no indication as to how the remaining $21 million in surplus will be spent.
7:10
The county employee bonuses bill will not affect the county rainy day fund.
7:07
The cost of living in Harford County has increased the last three years.
7:03
The bonus would come in two payments: one on Dec. 23 and another one in June 2012.
7:01
Councilman Chad Shrodes: I'm worried as to how this looks for state politicians, whom may want to cut things in this county if it looks rich.
6:56
A Harford County executive office spokesman said that the surplus came from a lower unemployment rate than expected in 2010 and 2011, which brought in more taxes.
6:48
Councilman Dion F. Guthrie: I'm sure employees who took "weeks and weeks" of furlough days are confused as to why there is now a surplus in funds.
Giornio states it was only five to seven furlough days.
6:44
Giorno: The passing of the employee bonuses bill won't prevent the possibility of salary raises within the next year.
6:41
Boniface to Giorno: "How can you be sure we don't end up in a short fall?"
Giorno: The bonuses amount of $11 million of $32 million of the available funds.
6:40
>> You can view the employee bonuses bill here.
6:38
Council President Billy Boniface suggests County Executive David Craig should be at the meeting tonight to talk about his recommendation of employee bonuses.
6:37
Giorno is now introducing the county employee bonuses bill.
6:35
There is no participants in the public hearing for the Water and Sewer bill.
6:34
Harford County Legislative Liaison Nancy Giorno said the Water and Sewer Capital Project Fund Balance Transfer is an emergency bill to keep drinking water safe.
6:27
All council members are now here with Councilwoman Mary Ann Lisanti now arriving.
6:24
Our poll closes in 35 minutes. Do you support a one-time $1,250 bonus for county employees?
6:21
Many county workers, including police, construction workers and teachers, are now entering the council chambers.
6:15
The County Council meeting begins in 15 minutes. There's a gathering of about 20 people outside the AA Roberty Building. A woman said that the people are here for the public hearing on the government employee bonuses.
I am curious how many people on here would be happy if their employers hired them and told them one thing but turned around and did something else? This is not a matter of getting a raise or bonus. I can not imagine being hired and filling out all of the necessary paper work etc. Then, after receiving company handbooks which include pay scales, requirements etc, I would then be told that I would not be receiving the agreed upon pay. Actually, I would not be receiving the agreed upon pay for the next year, the following year and yes, the year after that!!! I can not believe all of the people on here who are against these hard working county employees not getting a good faith bonus....especially after knowing the facts of how they have not received their due salary's.
Wow Ed, is this fair? Would you think it was fair to anyone in any work place? I am not suggesting any thing here. I am merely stating the facts as it relates to this one time bonus which is far below the promised and agreed upon contract. As for our taxes, homeless retirees and smaller govt, those seem like separate issues. I would be saying the same thing if your employer did the same thing to you or any of my neighbors.
Govt workers take less compensation for predictable pay scales and job security regardless of the economy. in the earlier part of the decade private sector jobs got huge bonuses and COLAS that where almost triple the public sector. Public sector employees knew the deal. Now the govt. has reniged on that deal with it's employees. This bonus was timed to prevent the county from the slap it is getting from the labor board since it is readily apperant they lied when they negotiated with teachers.
That said some jobs are easy to see but the point is that is what these guys signed up for are you going to fault them for making good career moves? For expecting that their employer was honest? If someone makes a good career move it is a good move. Are you claiming all secretaries should be paid the same rate no matter who they work for? I guess you feel everything should be equal and we should redistribute the wise career sectretaries pay amongst the unfortunate unemployeed people who hate government? Wait that is what we do with teachers and their pensions we take 28% of their pension contribution and stick it in the general fund!
These teachers and police officers have been on a salary freeze for 3+ years. Do they have a job and should they be thankful for said job? Absolutely. Would it be nice for them to earn this extra bonus? Absolutely. Are there some who might not deserve it? Sure. Should they all be punished for that? No. You don't have to agree with the bonus. We all have opinions. But that doesn't mean you should start bashing county employees as a whole because you don't agree with this topic.
Do you deserve a raise? Just ask right.
What's a cost of increase say? This is to help you keep up. What's a raise say? This is for doing a job above and beyond your requirements. What's a bonus say? Thanks for doing your job........... Thanks for doing your job! How about, 'You're fired for not doing your job'? Government workers got it easy.......................