Copyright 2005 The Commercial Appeal, Inc.
By WILLIAM C. BAYNE
The Commercial Appeal (Tennessee)
Horn Lake Mayor Nat Baker said Thursday he will again veto a special pay raise approved Tuesday for the city’s paramedics.
“I’m not against a pay raise, but I’m against a pay raise at this time,” Baker said Thursday. “We will know much better after the first of the year what our financial situation is and we’ll be much better able to look at pay situations and to consider adjustments.”
Alderman Chris Sheley moved for the small pay raise Tuesday - boosting paramedic hourly pay to $11.26. Sheley said the raise was only about 20 cents an hour.
However, he said Horn Lake’s paramedics receive less money per hour than the paramedics in Southaven, Olive Branch or Hernando.
The problem has been created in part by the educational requirements set by the state for paramedic qualification.
The requirements are so advanced that paramedics can extend their studies slightly and qualify as registered nurses.
Sheley did not address the state requirements, but he said failure to “extend a gesture” to the paramedics could result in Horn Lake having to park ambulances because it would not have the crews to properly man them.
The city has six paramedics. But Baker said he is certain that the pay adjustment for the paramedics will be followed quickly by a request for additional pay for the part time paramedics.
“Once you start down that path, it’s hard to turn around,” he said.
“In a year when we had to borrow $400,000 in a tax anticipation loan to make ends meet, that’s a step I’m not comfortable in taking.”
When the pay adjustment for the paramedics first surfaced in October, the measure was stopped by tabling.
Subsequently, the board approved a pay raise for the paramedics in October that was vetoed by Baker last week.
When Sheley made his motion Tuesday, Baker asked if the motion was in order and was told by City Atty. Billy Campbell Jr. that the motion should be allowed.
The board approved it on a 4-3 vote with Aldermen Amy Lay, Derek Downing, Donnie ‘Chigger’ White and Sheley voting in favor and Aldermen Tom Polzin, Tim Smith and John E. Jones Jr. opposing.
“I’m going to veto the raise,” Baker said Thursday evening. “I had meant to get to it (Thursday) but I will probably issue the veto (today).”