Tieton to discuss budget today

TIETON -- The Tieton City Council has scheduled a special meeting to consider whether the town's budget can absorb pay raises for several employees.

Mayor Stan Hall says he didn't expect the topic to come up this late in budget talks, but today's meeting was scheduled because some council members want to review a proposal from police Chief Jeff Ketchum to promote the town's other full-time officer to sergeant.

The council held its regular meeting Monday night, continuing negotiations over the budget.

Ketchum said he wants the promotion for Juan Ceja as an incentive for him to remain on the force. Because the department is so small, his duties would not change.

Ceja grew up in Tieton, speaks Spanish, lives in the area and has more than three years with the department. Ketchum said other agencies are frequently interested in recruiting him, but the chief wants to protect the city's estimated $150,000 investment in pay and training.

Hall called Ceja a good officer who deserves the raise, but he expressed concern that the city can't afford to spend more money.

He said the original budget proposal contained a 3 percent raise for the officer, based on his understanding of Ketchum's original proposal.

Hall said he didn't realize that Ketchum was referring to the monthly salary increase, rather than
a percentage.

The proposed 8 percent raise would amount to $250 a month. The officer currently earns $3,120 a month.

Hall said he is also calculating 3 percent raises for the city's utility clerk and public works crewman -- the only other non-administrative employees -- as a matter of fairness.

Altogether, that would require about $5,000 more next year.

Hall said his budget estimates show that the city would only have about $3,700 left over after calculating expenses this year. That money had been intended to supplement reserves.

Ketchum said the city could cover the officer's raise by reallocating some general fund money intended for extra patrol by reserve officers.

The city's current expense fund is projected at $493,738 for 2010.

The council is scheduled to adopt the final budget Dec. 7.

The special work session is set for today at 4 p.m. at City Hall, 418 Maple St.