East Point mayor vows to veto pay raise ordinance OK'd by council

The issue of funding more than $328,000 in performance raises came up after an April 18 executive session. Pittman said performance pay raises shouldn’t have been granted until a six-month audit was conducted, as stipulated by an amendment in last June’s budget approval.

Monday night’s ordinance wiped out last year’s requirement for the six-month audit, and instead focused on the city’s 2010 audit, which showed the city was in sound financial shape.

When Pittman brought the issue to light last week, Councilman Lance Rhodes said the City Council had no choice in implementing the pay raises. He alluded to a section of the East Point city code that states raises will be granted after the city has established a salary system.

“The only way not to implement the raises was not funding the raise amount in the budget, or removing the pay-for-performance program,” he said.

Some residents said now is not the time for raises and the council should address other issues that are more pressing in the city.

“Just take a look at what you are doing. We need streets and sidewalks in this city. You need to do what’s best for the city,” Jean Wilson said.

Myrna Edwards said the council should try and work together better. “East Point deserves better than this,” she said.

Councilman Myron Cook urged the City Council to look at the big picture.

“Our water and sewer system account may lose $3.4 million this year. We made that budget amendment for a reason,” he said.

Pittman complained the raises involved no discussion with the council. The pay raise ordinance passed 6-2, with Cook and Marcel Reed voting against it. Pittman said she would veto it immediately.

“This vote was made before we even entered the door tonight," she said. "I’m more than upset.”