Vacation change nets exiting fire chief extra $3,200

RED OAK — A policy change approved by a split vote will give Red Oak’s fire chief more than $3,200 extra in vacation pay when his resignation takes affect next month.

Red Oak’s City Council voted 3-1 at its meeting last week to enact the change in how city employees accrue vacation time.

Currently, employees receive their vacation time on the anniversary of their hire date. Under the new policy, which will take affect Jan. 1, employees will accrue vacation time each pay period.

As a result, Fire Chief Rick Askey, who recently resigned effective Jan. 29, will receive an extra $3,200 in unpaid vacation benefits. Under the policy change, Askey will now receive nearly $21,000 for unused vacation and sick leave.

Larry Brandstetter, who cast the lone “no” vote against the policy change, questioned whether the timing of the policy change and if it was being done for the benefit of all employees.

“The fire chief served admirably, served wonderfully, did a great job as fire chief, and is now leaving,” Brandstetter said. “He worked under one particular policy for many, many, many years. Now, at this particular point and time we are looking to change this particular policy, and it is certainly going to benefit Chief Askey for us to change it.”

Larry Barnett, who said he was “embarrassed” by the existing policy, said the timing was irrelevant.

“I think the fact remains do you or do you not feel this policy needs to be changed. Forget the timing right now. Does it or does it not need to be changed,” Barnett asked. “If it does, the first of the year seems to be an appropriate time to do that ... I think this issue needs to stand on its own. I don’t think it needs to stand on the resignation of one individual or however many retirees we have coming up.”

But as Brandstetter pointed out, timing couldn’t be ignored, because it was Askey’s resignation that sparked this conservation.

“There certainly is an appearance here we are changing this policy at this particular point in order to provide additional vacation time to pay Mr. Askey. That is the appearance of the timing of this policy change,” he said.

Budget Requests

Three organizations, the Red Oak Optimists Club, the Montgomery County Development Corporation (MCDC) and the Montgomery County Family YMCA all submitted written requests for funding in next year’s budget.
The Optimist requested $1,200 for the annual July 4 fireworks display, while the MCDC requested $1,000 for Red Oak’s membership in the organization.

The YMCA, which received $56,000 a year ago, requested $70,000 this year, while providing the city a detailed budget, list of expected capital expenditures through 2015 and projections as to what it would cost the city to employ a full-time recreation director.

Currently, the YMCA provides the city numerous services typically offered by a recreation director, including management of several sport programs like summer baseball/softball, flag football, soccer, volleyball, basketball and tennis. Starting last year, YMCA staff also managed the public pool.

“I want to thank the Y for the explanation they gave and the detailed information they gave for frankly, I’m seeing through this the amount is justifiable,” Brandstetter said. “There certainly is justification for the amount the Y is asking for based upon services they provide.”

The Council will decide upon each request during later budget discussions.

Wastewater Work

The Council agreed to pursue an engineering agreement to construct a separate power station to provide electricity to the wastewater pump station.

During construction of the new wastewater plant, problems were discovered with the current underground lines powering the pumping station.

Engineers estimated it would cost at least $50,000 to repair, which would provide a temporary fix for an indefinite period of time.

To construct a separate power station, the cost has been estimated at $250,000, which could change dependent on Mid-America’s contribution to the construction.

However, despite previous fears to the contrary, City Administrator Brad Wright said the project wouldn’t result in a third sewer rate increase in less than two years.

“With the original $8.6 million budget estimate of this project, that was inclusive of $700,000 of contingency,” Wright said. “[Design Engineer] Steve Van Dyke assures me the way we are looking right now … even with this $250,000, we will still be well under that $700,000 worth of contingencies meaning this thing should still come in under budget and we do have funding in place at this time for this project.”

Fire Chief Changes

The Council unanimously approved appointment of Kevin Walford interim fire chief.

According to Mayor Ted Schoonover, Askey will remain on staff until his Jan. 29 resignation date.

“Former Chief Rick Askey has relinquished his command of the fire department to the interim chief Mr. Walford. Mr. Askey however will be assisting in finalizing the budget, capital projects and other administrative functions until his actual resignation date of Jan. 29,” Schoonover said. “He will be doing that from city hall instead of the fire department because it is kind of an adverse thing to have the new employee there while the old employee is there.”

The Council also promoted Matt Jones to Battalion Chief.