Detroit council seeks benefits for its staff

[Vic01]

The City Council on Friday is slated to vote on a $1 billion spending plan for the city’s general fund budget that provides full-time status with benefits for up to 70 council staff members.In a last-minute amendment to the 2016-17 fiscal year budget, the administration directed $1.5 million to cover the benefits costs for some council staffers. The dollars were part of an overall pot of $2.3 million in non-departmental funds that was expected to be used for employee training in the new fiscal year, said Councilwoman Mary Sheffield.
The changes come following an emotional plea by President Brenda Jones, who was moved to tears Thursday as she urged Detroit’s chief financial officer to find the dollars to restore benefits for council staff.
“It is irritating to me to have to come to the table to beg to have the staff treated fairly,” Jones said during a budget discussion at the council table on Thursday, noting council staffers have endured hardships for years. “I’m at this point pleading, go wherever you need to go.”

interesting article... I guess that there's enough "extra" money in the budget, why not?


http://www.detroitnews.com/story/new...dget/81651784/