HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.E.3. Military Service Readjustment Pay
5, F, 3.
CITY OF SHAKO PEE CONSENT
Memorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Mark McNeill, City Administrator
SUBJECT: Military Service Readjustment Pay
DATE: March 2, 2006
The Council is asked to authorize a $2,500 payment to Rodney Beck of the Public Works
Department, as assistance for financial burdens which he encountered during his call to
active duty as a member ofthe Air Force Reserve.
BACKGROUND:
Rodney Beck was hired by the City as a Maintenance Operator in the Public Works
Department on December 9,2002. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Beck received notice that his
reserve unit was being activated, and that he would be placed on activity duty. What had
originally been intended to be only a six month call to duty, turned into two years. He
was gone from March 3, 2003, and returned to work on February 6,2005. The City held
his job open during the deployment.
There is often a significant reduction between what called-up military personnel are paid
as members of the Armed Forces, versus what they would have received in civilian jobs,
Mr. Beck was no exception. Military personnel are able to receive some compensatory
benefits for themselves and their families, but in many cases, the civilian financial
responsibilities remain, and there is a financial hardship created.
Upon his return to his City job, the City was made aware of these financial problems.
The question is raised as to whether the City would help financially to make the
adjustment back to civilian life (and assist in some of the bills that had been piling up
during the absence). At the time, it appeared that while many cities were exploring
doing this for their military workers, only two cities in the Metro area had actually done
something. Therefore, no action was taken at that time. However, during recent
negotiations withthe Public Works Union this issue was brought up again. We felt that
this is not a contract issue, but could be something that should be looked at on a case-by-
case basis. In Rodney's circumstance, an offer of $2,500 has been made.
If a call-up occurs again (Rodney is the only National Guard or Reserve member of
which we are aware currently on City staff), the City should again look at it on a case-by-
case basis. We have found that the need is probably most acute during the actual
deployment, and employers should look at what can be done to assist during that time,
rather than after.
While these are to be looked at on an individual basis in the future, we might offer the
following guidelines for future financial consideration:
. The employee must be of a full time status
. That the call up be for at least six months (therefore, no payments made
before that time)
. It is understood that the payment is not intended to make up the full difference
between regular City pay and military pay
. That it will be the sole judgment ofthe City as to the amount of compensation.
BUDGET IMPACT:
This money would be charged to the Public Works Division personnel line item. It
would be treated as taxable income.
RELATIONSHIP TO VISIONING:
This supports Goal D: Vibrant, resilient and stable.
RECOMMENDATION:
We recommend that a one time payment be made to Rodney Beck in the amount of
$2,500, as military service readjustment pay.
ACTION REQUIRED:
If the Council concurs, it should, by motion, authorize payment of $2,500 to Rodney
Beck as military service readjustment pay.
~ ~.Auit
Mark McNeill
City Administrator