Hire Reports Explained At BOW
October 2, 2021 at 12:35 a.m.
By David [email protected]
At Friday’s meeting, Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer asked Human Resource Director Jennifer Whitaker to explain why the Board is required to do that.
The report includes an employee’s name, position description, department, if they’re part- or full-time, their hourly or biweekly pay, why there’s a change and estimated start date. For example, one of the three people on Friday’s report was Ryan Connors, a probationary police officer with the Warsaw Police Department. His full-time pay is $2,244.65 biweekly and he was assigned to second shift. His estimated start date is Sunday on that shift.
“The purpose is, obviously, to make the public aware, as well as the Board of Works, of any new hires. Obviously, that explanation is all transparent for the public,” Thallemer said, asking Whitaker to talk about the change in payroll report.
Whitaker said the easiest way she tries to explain it to department heads and others is that, “The City Council gives us the money, but the Board of Works gives us permission to spend it, basically. So, any change of payroll, any dollar amount for any employee, we always take it to the Board of Works. You’re my balance system, and it’s public record.”
She said it shows the Indiana State Board of Accounts, when it comes in and does its audits, that everything is in line, especially with the police and fire departments because the Board of Works oversees those two departments.
“So, from a financial standpoint, if the money is allocated by the Council, and there’s money in the budget, if that allocation doesn’t need to be changed, and if they don’t exceed the salary ordinance, obviously, that’s part of the checks and balances there. Just coming and creating awareness publicly of changes,” Thallemer said.
He said it’s been a good practice and the Board of Works goes through it every meeting. He said there are hiring and firing requirements that they are bound to, “and this gives everybody a look at it.”
Whitaker said it’s always been that way for as long as she has been with the city.
The Board of Works unanimously approved this week’s new hire/change in payroll report, which also included Patrick Burchett, operator, Street Department, full- time, $19.76 per hour, rehire, Sept. 13 start date; and Kelsey Chanley, records clerk, police department, full-time, $17.50 per hour, job development, Oct. 17 start date.
In other business:
• The Board approved a K21 Health Foundation grant for $53,000 for the Bixler Park pickleball courts. Of the $82,540 total cost for the project, $29,540 will come from park funds. The project includes resurfacing and expanding the existing courts, new posts and nets, replacement of the east fencing and sealing and striping of the courts. When finished, the courts will have four pickleball courts and two tennis courts.
Work is tentatively scheduled for the spring.
• The Board approved a parking facility lease with Stephen P. and Carla A. Harris for $8,400 per year for two years. The parking lot is primarily used by Zimmer Biomet’s Z Hotel downtown Warsaw.
• The Board approved an agreement with the United States Department of the Interior for the stream gage at Pike Lake, as requested by Utility Manager Brian Davison. The cost is $4,000 for Oct. 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2022.
• The Board approved a pay application from Wessler Engineering for $32,100 for construction oversight at the wastewater utility plant.
• Thallemer reminded everyone that the city’s new trash routes begin Monday. The city did a “great job” of educating the public of the changes, he said. There will likely be some hiccups, he said, but they will be taken care of.
• The Board approved a contract with Laughing Stock Productions for $660, as requested by Parks and Recreation Department’s recreation director, Stephanie Schaefer. The company will provide three balloon artists for Fall Family Fun on Oct. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lucerne Park.
• The Board approved two travel requests for Airport Manager Nick King, both to annual conferences for continuing education, with one being in Chicago Oct. 24-26 and the other to Michigan City Oct. 12-14.
At Friday’s meeting, Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer asked Human Resource Director Jennifer Whitaker to explain why the Board is required to do that.
The report includes an employee’s name, position description, department, if they’re part- or full-time, their hourly or biweekly pay, why there’s a change and estimated start date. For example, one of the three people on Friday’s report was Ryan Connors, a probationary police officer with the Warsaw Police Department. His full-time pay is $2,244.65 biweekly and he was assigned to second shift. His estimated start date is Sunday on that shift.
“The purpose is, obviously, to make the public aware, as well as the Board of Works, of any new hires. Obviously, that explanation is all transparent for the public,” Thallemer said, asking Whitaker to talk about the change in payroll report.
Whitaker said the easiest way she tries to explain it to department heads and others is that, “The City Council gives us the money, but the Board of Works gives us permission to spend it, basically. So, any change of payroll, any dollar amount for any employee, we always take it to the Board of Works. You’re my balance system, and it’s public record.”
She said it shows the Indiana State Board of Accounts, when it comes in and does its audits, that everything is in line, especially with the police and fire departments because the Board of Works oversees those two departments.
“So, from a financial standpoint, if the money is allocated by the Council, and there’s money in the budget, if that allocation doesn’t need to be changed, and if they don’t exceed the salary ordinance, obviously, that’s part of the checks and balances there. Just coming and creating awareness publicly of changes,” Thallemer said.
He said it’s been a good practice and the Board of Works goes through it every meeting. He said there are hiring and firing requirements that they are bound to, “and this gives everybody a look at it.”
Whitaker said it’s always been that way for as long as she has been with the city.
The Board of Works unanimously approved this week’s new hire/change in payroll report, which also included Patrick Burchett, operator, Street Department, full- time, $19.76 per hour, rehire, Sept. 13 start date; and Kelsey Chanley, records clerk, police department, full-time, $17.50 per hour, job development, Oct. 17 start date.
In other business:
• The Board approved a K21 Health Foundation grant for $53,000 for the Bixler Park pickleball courts. Of the $82,540 total cost for the project, $29,540 will come from park funds. The project includes resurfacing and expanding the existing courts, new posts and nets, replacement of the east fencing and sealing and striping of the courts. When finished, the courts will have four pickleball courts and two tennis courts.
Work is tentatively scheduled for the spring.
• The Board approved a parking facility lease with Stephen P. and Carla A. Harris for $8,400 per year for two years. The parking lot is primarily used by Zimmer Biomet’s Z Hotel downtown Warsaw.
• The Board approved an agreement with the United States Department of the Interior for the stream gage at Pike Lake, as requested by Utility Manager Brian Davison. The cost is $4,000 for Oct. 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2022.
• The Board approved a pay application from Wessler Engineering for $32,100 for construction oversight at the wastewater utility plant.
• Thallemer reminded everyone that the city’s new trash routes begin Monday. The city did a “great job” of educating the public of the changes, he said. There will likely be some hiccups, he said, but they will be taken care of.
• The Board approved a contract with Laughing Stock Productions for $660, as requested by Parks and Recreation Department’s recreation director, Stephanie Schaefer. The company will provide three balloon artists for Fall Family Fun on Oct. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lucerne Park.
• The Board approved two travel requests for Airport Manager Nick King, both to annual conferences for continuing education, with one being in Chicago Oct. 24-26 and the other to Michigan City Oct. 12-14.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092