A non-binding resolution supporting hazard pay for civil city and utility employees “put in harm’s way” during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic was held for two weeks by the Fort Wayne City Council Tuesday night.
Presented by at-large Democrat Michelle Chambers, the proposal highlights several city departments -- including but not limited to Animal Care & Control and City Utilities -- that have continued work despite the dangers of the virus, and seeks hazard pay for these employees at an increase of $2.50 an hour, retroactive to March 18.
The proposal as it stands is not intended to serve as a final decision, but rather open a dialogue between members of Council, the administration and the affected departments to help determine the best disbursement of state and federal relief funding.
It received a lukewarm reception from Council, in part because some members are worried about what the 2021 budget will look like when those discussions take place in the fall. Others, like at-large Republican Tom Freistroffer, worried the language is too broad, ignoring those at risk who work inside of offices.
Chambers says that was the point as written.
“These departments are included, but not limited to. I’m hoping to have a bigger conversation about that and that’s why I left it open ended in the bill.”
She offered to hold the bill after 2nd District Republican Russ Jehl asked whether or not any city employees, or what percentage of them, had caught COVID-19, which is not known at the moment.
The bill is expected to be fleshed out over the next two weeks with a return to the full body during Fort Wayne City Council’s next meeting on Tuesday, May 26.
