Month: December 2017

UG Commission approves salary hike for mayor, commissioners

A salary increase for the Unified Government mayor and commissioners was approved at the Thursday, Dec. 21, UG meeting.

In two unanimous votes, the commission approved the salary increases. Mayor Mark Holland proposed the salary increases. Dec. 21 was his last UG meeting.

The mayor will receive $120,000 a year, to begin in four years, in 2022, according to the ordinance that was passed 10-0. The current salary is $89,232.

Mayor Holland stated that the mayor’s position was a demanding position that required a great deal of time and energy, and its compensation should be similar to other UG officials with a high level of responsibility.

Information was presented at a special session Dec. 7 about the salaries of other mayors and chief executives in the area, as well as about other elected officials, many of whom made more than the mayor. (See https://wyandotteonline.com/holland-proposes-salary-hike-for-ug-mayor-commission/)

After a discussion by Commissioner Ann Brandau Murguia, the proposal to give cost-of-living increases to commissioners in four years was changed to starting the increase next month. Commissioners voted 10-0 for the proposal.

Under the proposal as it passed, UG commissioners will start receiving the increased salary in January 2018.

Currently, district commissioners receive $12,000 a year and at-large commissioners, $14,400.

It is the same amount that was set by the charter ordinance 20 years ago, according to Administrator Doug Bach.

The proposed increase is $17,700 for district commissioners and $21,252 for at-large commissioners, and they would receive an annual cost-of-living increase. The new figures reflect cost-of-living increases over the past 20 years, according to UG officials.

Bach said there was generally no group of employees or elected officials that did not receive a cost-of-living raise over the years, except for the commission.

“I think our charter needs to be amended immediately to include COLA increases for commissioners,” Murguia said.

Commissioner Hal Walker, who was attending his last meeting as a commissioner, said he thought these salaries were set up on the notion that this was a 10-hour-a-week job.

“In 12 years, I could count on one hand the number of weeks I only put in 10 hours in relation to this government,” he said. “This is a 20- to 25-hour-a-week minimum, if you’re not doing that, you’re not doing the job.”

Two KCK students initiated into Phi Kappa Phi

Two Kansas City, Kansas, students were recently initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, an honor society for all academic disciplines.

The two students, Duaa Alwawi and Brooke Wietharn of Kansas City, Kansas, were initiated at the University of Kansas.

The students are among about 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership.

Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees also may qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

BPU board approves 2018 budget

The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Public Utilities Board of Directors approved its 2018 annual budget for the municipal electric and water utility at its Dec. 20 board meeting.

The 2018 budget totaling $392 million is approximately $10 million more than the 2017 budget of $382 million, a spokesman said.

The increased budget of 2.7 percent is mainly the result of an increase in fuel and purchase power and debt service coverage, the spokesman said.

Last January, after rate hearings the BPU approved a 4 percent electric rate increase for 2017 that has gone into effect, and a 4 percent increase for 2018. The 4 percent increase is about $5 per month on an average customer’s bill, the spokesman said.

When looking to 2018, the spokesman stated the BPU’s major goals and priorities will include the following:

• A continued commitment and focus on improved customer service, updating business practices and policies as necessary to meet the needs of a broad customer base, putting in place initiatives to make information and services readily accessible across multiple communication platforms, and ensuring use of industry best practices in achieving these standards.

• Providing cost effective, safe and reliable utility services, including efficient operation of electric and water production facilities.

• Ensuring electric transmission and distribution systems are adaptable to support changes in future power supply sources, including successful communications and implementation of the new Rosedale Reliability Project. Operation of all transmission and generation assets in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner. Work to maintain and update infrastructure as needed.

• Monitoring, evaluating, and addressing changes in environmental regulations.

• Supporting renewable energy (wind, community solar, and other) and continue to evaluate future generation mix opportunities to ensure sustainable energy for the betterment of our community. This includes securing full utilization of the new Community Solar Farm by both residential and commercial customers, and other utility initiatives.

• Ensuring continued fiscal sustainability by effectively managing debt coverage, cash-on-hand, credit ratings, and open and transparent fiscal and budget policies.

• Promotion of on-going energy and water efficiency initiatives through customer education, community outreach services, and targeted programs.

• Exploring strategic alliances and expansion opportunities that benefit the utility and the community. Supporting economic development and retention and growth in the service area with other community partners.

• Use of innovative technologies, maintenance of all reliability standards, and development of a safety-conscious workplace that ensures continued electric and utility services.

BPU will continue efforts to improve efficiencies and reduce costs; assist and support community partners and meet and prepare for future customer growth while maintaining world-class customer service, according to the spokesman.