From Deseret News archives:
Ogden may ease pay standards
Police, firefighters cautiously hopeful
Ogden City Council will consider a proposed pay-standards ordinance for police and firefighters. The ordinance would ease standards adopted in June, which prompted protests and criticism of Mayor Matthew Godfrey's administration.
If adopted, Ogden police would have to score only a three or better on their evaluations, instead of a four or five, to receive a full 5 percent merit increase, said Council Chairman Jesse Garcia. Firefighters' merit increases would also no longer be tied to their evaluations.
If passed, the ordinance will be retroactive as of July 1, 2006.
Councilwoman Dorrene Jeske was optimistic Monday.
"I am so glad that it is finally happening," she said. "I feel like celebrating."
Others, however, are more cautious.
"We're optimistic, but we've been on such a roller coaster ride with it," said Dirk Youngberg, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Ogden Local 1654. "Hopefully, it passes. Hopefully, it is unanimous and that will send a message back to the administration."
Officer Ryan Medina, president of the Ogden Police Benefit Association, could not be reached for comment about the proposals Monday.
While the scoring requirement has been lowered, the number of traffic citations issued will remain a criterion in determining one's total score. The traffic ticket incentive was one of the main complaints among officers, who said traffic officers would have had to issue as many as eight citations a day to qualify for a raise under the higher standards.
The council will also vote on a proposed employee negotiation review work group. Part of the work group will be hiring a mediator to help set up a new negotiation process.
"It's more to set up a system that better works for all," Garcia said.
Once the new system is set, both negotiators for the employee unions and council members will receive training, he said.
While Garcia would not comment on what the outcome of the vote may be, he hopes the process becomes more peaceful in the future.
"It has been a concern of mine since day one," he said.
The Ogden City Council meets at 6 tonight at 2549 Washington Blvd. on the third floor of the Municipal Building.
E-mail: blee@desnews.com
