CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA
Stark
ORDINANCE 05-34
AN ORDINANCE OF THE HOMER
CITY COUNCIL AMENDING HOMER CITY CODE SECTION 1.24.040, BY-LAWS FOR COUNCIL
PROCEDURE, (M) SALARIES OF ELECTED OFFICIALS, TO RAISE THE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE
AND TO PROHIBIT MEMBERSHIP IN PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR NEWLY
ELECTED OFFICIALS.
WHEREAS, With the passage of time the existing
expense allowance for Council Members and the Mayor of $50 per month is no
longer appropriate, particularly for the Mayor, who represents the City at
numerous events both in the City and around the State; and
WHEREAS,
The City Attorney has stated that a
raise in the expense allowance can only be effective for newly elected officials
to avoid a conflict of interest where Council Members raise their own salaries, and
WHEREAS, The present budget
contains money to fund an increase for Council Members elected in October 2005,
and
WHEREAS,
At the present time the City is offering newly elected officials membership in
the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) despite the Code’s express
prohibition of such compensation unless authorized by ordinance, and
WHEREAS, The City at this time
has an indebtedness to PERS in excess of $6 million, and
WHEREAS,
Under PERS rules a Council Member would receive a pension of $125 for the rest
of his/her life after being in office five years, far exceeding the expense
allowance authorized by ordinance.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the City
of Homer:
Section
1. HCC Section 1.24.024 m. Salaries
of Elected Officials is hereby revised to read
The Council may fix by ordinance the salaries of
elected officials. [The] Homer City Council members
shall receive an expense allowance of [$50] $75 per
month, the Mayor $100 per month, effective upon their
election/reelection. Newly
elected/reelected Members/Mayor shall not have membership paid by the City in
the Public Employees Retirement System. An elected official may not receive any other compensation for
service to the Municipality unless specifically authorized to do so by
ordinance. Per diem payments or
reimbursements for expenses are not compensation under this section.
Section
2. This Ordinance is permanent and
shall become part of the Code.
PASSED AND ENACTED by
the Homer City Council this _______ day of ________, 2005.
ATTEST
Introduction:
Public Hearing:
Second Reading:
Effective Date:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstain:
Absent:
Reviewed and approved as to form and content:
Walt Wrede, City Manager Gordon Tans, City Attorney
Date: Date:
Fiscal Note: $150 budgeted