City of Plattsburgh considers management raises

The City of Plattsburgh Common Council is considering the idea of giving department heads raises for 2012.

Although pay increases were not included in Mayor Donald Kasprzak's budget proposal, the council may add them.

"I think we should keep it on the table and consider it," said Councilor James Calnon (I-Ward 4) at a recent budget meeting.

As mayor pro tem, he serves as the council budget officer.

The mayor's budget proposal last year did not include raises for managers either, but the council opted to give them increases of 1.5 percent, plus a stipend of $1,250.

Calnon said the council should consider raises and not stipends so the salary figures will remain steady instead of going up and down with or without one-time stipends.

Several managers attended the meeting, and Calnon asked them if they had any thoughts on the matter.

No one spoke.

The mayor's budget proposal for 2012 features an increase in the tax levy of 1.86 percent, which is under the state's newly-implemented tax-levy cap.

Councilors have until Jan. 15, 2012, to approve a final spending package.

Email Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com