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| Wed Oct 15 2008 11:47 PM | |
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The Frankfort Plant Board has narrowly approved a $73.2 million budget that includes a 4 percent pay increase for employees and several rate increases, including 12 percent for water rates starting in 2010.
Vice chairwoman Sheila Burton said she could not vote for the budget if it included the 4 percent increase. She said some would see the move as "arrogant," although the motion passed 3-2 Tuesday.
"These are extraordinary economic times for people that buy from us, and they have to buy from us," Burton said. "Public perception means a whole lot."
Rate increases for the 5-year budget include:
>1.25 percent electric rate increase in January 2009
>4.5 percent for water in January 2010
>7.5 percent for water in January 2012
>$2 for the phone rate in July 2009 and 2012
>$2 for cable modem in July 2010
>$1 for digital cable in July 2009 and 2012
>$2 for security services rate in July 2009 and July 2012
>$1 for basic cable rate every year for five years
The board of directors would be required to hold a public hearing before any rate increases are implemented.
Franklin County employees get a 4 percent pay increase in the new Fiscal Court budget, but the city budget gives employees only 3 percent and the state gives its employees 1 percent. Burton said her "no" vote was not a criticism of Plant Board employees, but reflects her concern about rising costs for customers.
Plant Board policy dictates that cost-of-living pay adjustments be tied to increases in the Urban Consumer Price Index compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The board adopted the budget and 4 percent COLA after chairman Joe Smith introduced a motion urging its passage. Smith asked Burton to take over so he could introduce the motion because Smith prefers not to vote or make motions while acting as chairman.
A previous motion to approve the budget died for lack of a second.
Board members Mike Dudgeon and Ann Wingrove also voted for the budget while Benny Maffet voted against it.
Smith said it's important to ensure that the Plant Board hires and retains qualified employees. If not, future customers will pay for the consequences of poor maintenance and upkeep, Smith said.
Dudgeon said utility employees deserve the increase although he commended Burton and Smith for their courage and conviction.
Finance Director Shannon Taylor said she was opposed to enacting a lower cost-of-living increase because it would hurt morale.
Burton said she could support a 3 percent adjustment, but Taylor said the difference would only be $150,000, not enough to offset any proposed rate increases.
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Next 10 Comments of 72 Total Comments
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72.
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Posted by juscq July 21, 2008
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Wow The plant board approved their own rate hike!!
Hello, how stupid are the natives here, this is BS. Everybody needs to let FPB know that we feel ripped off, they will just continue to give us channels we don't WANT and charge us extra for it. HELLO, dump this service. Call FPB and let them know that they are nothing but thief's. |
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71.
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Posted by CUE July 21, 2008
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get Direct TV, you won't regret the change, the Frankfort Hillbilly Plant Board needs to be abolished! DIRECT TV is #1
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70.
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Posted by Freedom July 18, 2008
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Cut your cable and internet off if you don't want to pay it. Go to the library for free internet access and read the posts on here will be more than enough entertainment to keep everyone amused.
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69.
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Posted by rangdaddy July 18, 2008
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Regardless of who owns The Plant Board. They got a 4 percent raise and our rates went up. Sheila Mason Burton, how much do you make a year ? I'm sure LRC pays well and you don't need a raise. What a joke !
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68.
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Posted by z4life July 18, 2008
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FPB can be either a public or private utility, not a "separate" entity, whatever that's supposed to mean. Since they aren't privately owned, that means they are a public utility which means they're owned by the city. If the city doesn't own FPB, why do they have the right to sell the utility. How can someone sell something they don't own?
According to KRS, a municipality is any county, city, consolidated local government, or municipal corporation of any and every class in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Everywhere I've looked, a municipal is defined as local government. Sorry to dissapoint BMOC. |
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67.
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Posted by smartgirl July 17, 2008
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A municipality is it's own separate entity, like a city. Nobody owns it, but it is governed by the board who are appointed by the mayor/city.
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66.
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Posted by partypolice July 17, 2008
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They are owned by the city but not operated by the city. That is how all municipalities are. I looked it up.
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65.
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Posted by BMOC July 17, 2008
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(Posted by DOGG 4 hours ago
If the plant board is city owned then why did the city get a 3% raise and the plant board got a 4%. Makes you think. ) Thats a very great point, Z4life must thought that they knew everything, but WRONG lol |
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64.
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Posted by DOGG July 17, 2008
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If the plant board is city owned then why did the city get a 3% raise and the plant board got a 4%. Makes you think.
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63.
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Posted by partypolice July 16, 2008
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Thats what I thought but DOGG was trying to convince me otherwise.
Thanks for clearing that up z4life |
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Next 10 Comments
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