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To the editor:
What seems like an insignificant amount adds up to a whole lot more for the Village of Lisbon. Council most definitely agrees we value each and every employee and appreciate their hard work they put into our village.
No one contacted a single council member regarding the rejected $100 Christmas bonus for all Lisbon Village employees. I'd like to voice my concerns on the matter along with a few additional comments.
-- Council had not received any information prior to the meeting. The agenda item stated "Christmas Bonuses"
-- The bonuses would have totaled $5,900; 59 employees, (if all volunteer fire dept employees met the required number of runs responding to calls in 2022).
-- The proposed bonus was not in the 2022 budget requiring last-minute year-end appropriations. Some departments did not have the funds to cover the bonus or it would have had to be funded by the General Fund.
-- Based upon the flawed procedure listed above, proper procedures would have been presenting the idea to the BPA (Water Dept.) Board, Cemetery Board, and hold a Finance Committee meeting. Council should have approval by the BPA and Cemetery boards before making any decisions concerning their funds since they are not funded by the village income tax.
In addition, our village is in desperate need and should prioritize repairs and procurement of heavy equipment for the street department. The newest vehicle in our street department is a 2011 GMC.
The street department also needs updated heavy equipment. The cost of a new skid steer and mini excavator would equal approximately $140,000. Before we think about purchasing new equipment, the village needs a location for storage of equipment. In order to store the equipment properly, the street garage needs repairs estimated at approximately $150,000. Not to mention our streets need repaved and our ditches and drainage are also in need of repair.
Let's not forget about Grant Street Bridge slated to begin construction in 2024. The village still needs to secure funds in the amount of $246,307. The list could go on and on.
My point is I feel it would have been an irresponsible financial decision to use taxpayer dollars to give a taxed $100 Christmas bonus when it has never been given in the past. Every dollar adds up and needs to be utilized according to priority.
2022 Total Income Tax received = $1,756,700.33
2022 Total Employee Wages = $1,091,095.54
(Funded by Income Tax)
62% of our yearly income tax is employee wage expense
A concern of mine is how procedures are handled. Hopefully in 2023 we will communicate and work more efficiently as a team to do the best we can for our village. I would also like to see a stronger presence from the media at Lisbon Council meetings to keep our residents up to date on all projects and decisions Council approves and disapproves of. One thing that weighs on my mind is: How were the articles written if there has not been a journalist attending any meetings from at least August 2022? Only one public request was made on December 17, 2022 for the council minutes in all of 2022.
I look forward to a new year and a fresh start.
Councilwoman Melissa Hiner,
Lisbon