Larry Bierke, Platteville city manager presented the preliminary 2012 budget to the common council on Tuesday, Sept. 20. The budget was on as an information item, with adoption expected at the Sept. 27 meeting.
Prior to the presentation, the council debated proposed changes to city operations proposed by Bierke, including a 37-hour work week in 2012 for some hourly employees.
Eileen Nickels, alderwoman, voiced her desire to table action on the resolution until after the budget is discussed.
John Miller, alderman was in favor of approving the resolution at the meeting, stating the change would save the city $109,000.
It was noted that 40 of the city's 79 hourly employees would be affected by the resolution and there would be no reduction for 39 employees.
Barb Daus, alderwoman, indicated she would like more time to discuss the issue.
Miller expressed his belief that the issue was resolved and there had been a consensus by council members during the summer when they debated the budget in work sessions.
Mike Dalecki, council president, re-iterated that thought, saying it seemed to him like they had a consensus on the issue.
Ken Kilian, alderman, noted the proposal was too much of a reduction. "Laborers are carrying too much of the burden," he said.
Dalecki acknowledged the proposal and others may mean that the city will be offering less