John Coffelt, Editor

After a brief fight on how the plan will be implemented, the Board of Mayor and Alderman passed the first reading of a resolution that will end the weekly pay cycles for two remaining departments in the city starting July 1.

The stated goal of the shift is to make the pay periods consistent among all city employees to “ensure the conduct of orderly and efficient city business,” the ordinance reads.

The shift which comes at the recommendation of the Finance Committee is, according to the department heads, unpopular with the employees.

The deciding factor for Alderman Bob Bellamy was whether the shift would create an inconvenience or a hardship.

“Several years ago we were going to do this and they were going to have a hardship,” Bellamy said.

Director of the Street Department George Gannon in reference to the July 1 start date said that when the employees accepted that they would have time to prepare.

Director of Water and Sewer Philip Miller said that 90% of his employees don’t like it, but that it was probably just an inconvenience.

Alderman Julie Anderson said that she was approached by employees in the water and street departments objecting to the shift.   

“These are people that are on budgets on the week-to-week paycheck. I think for some of them it would cause a hardship at this time because of the inflation that’s going on and I’m not sure that the 10% correction is enough. For that reason, while I think it good thing for the city of Manchester to streamline, I don’t think the timing is great, so I’m going to be voting no,” Anderson said. 

Mayor Marilyn Howard noted that 37 employees across the city employ are paid bi-weekly and make less than those currently paid weekly.

The devil in the details

During the discussion, two amendments were made in attempt to settle when the shift would go into effect.

“I would ask, if possible, the board to consider approval on everyone on bi-weekly pay schedule at the end of the May 1 pay period,” Mayor Marilyn Howard asked.

She said the two months would give time for the employees prepare.

“The raise (and back pay reflecting a 10% pay increase) will have come in,” she said, noting that payroll includes various other items to be calculated in addition to cutting paychecks. 

Vice Mayor Mark Messick objected, saying that word had spread concerning the Finance Commission’s recommendation, and employees were told the July date.

“We also gave employees notice we would do it July 1,” he said. “I know payroll might be a problem but for three months, with the employees we have working there, I think they can handle it.”

Alderman Ryan French pointed out that the BOMA hadn’t made any promises to the employees. The matter would not be official until approved by the board.

“That’s not fair for you to say that for me. It’s not my fault they went back and told them … July 1. The first reading is tonight. It could fail all together,” he said.

French made a motion to amend the resolution to take effect in May. That amendment failed with only him and Alderman Donny Parsley in favor. A second amendment by Finance Committee Chairman, Alderman Joey Hobbs that deleted a 1-and-a-half weekly transition cycle passed with unanimous approval.

The first reading of the ordinance passed 5-1 with Anderson voting no.      

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.