2017 Budget Idea # 1

At the last Council Meeting our Town Manager proposed the first draft of the 2017 budget.  Over the course of the next few months this proposed budget will undergo many revisions in an attempt to tailor it to Lisbon's needs and available resources. 

I was surprised to see the proposed budget included an across the board  2% COLA (cost of living allowance) for all municipal employees. According to 2015 figures last years inflation rate was about one tenth of one percent.  (2015 --0.012%) In fact in six of the last 12 months there was deflation.

• A few months ago Social Security recipients were informed they wouldn't receive a COLA raise this year because there wasn't a significant increase in inflation.

•  Fuel costs are the lowest we have seen in years. 

 

Giving a 2% cola increase isn't just a 2% raise in employee salaries it is also an increase in all the costs associated with those salaries. (FICA,  retirement, unemployment insurance, workers comp.  etc)

Is it morally right to demand retirees,that didn't get a cola last year, pay for a 2% cola for all Lisbon employees? Remember some of our employees, when including benefits, make a six figure income.

Call your Councilors and let them know what you think.

Respectfully
Joe Hill