City Employees Come Out in Force at Council Meeting

After three-years without a pay increase, dozens of City of Falls Church employees flooded Monday’s council meeting to voice their disgust.

Police officer Sgt. Joe Carter said the majority of the city’s budget is allocated to the school system but that’s not his issue. Dressed in his uniform, Carter stood before council and told them they have to make things right this year.

“It’s not just the schools that make the city strive,” he said during public comments. “It’s the people in the city.”

Jason Widstrom, chair of the city’s Employee Advisory Committee said the group organized the large turnout for the meeting. Over the last three years, he said there has been a 42 percent turnover amongst city employees. Earlier this month, City Manager Wyatt Shields that includes a three percent pay increase for city employees. It would be the first time since 2009 that city employees received an increase in their pay.

One by one, several city employees, mostly from the public works side, came to the podium and spoke out about their salaries that don’t compete with their counterparts in surrounding municipalities.

Joshua Goff has spent the last 11-years of his life working for the city. The third generation City of Falls Church employee said it’s time the city reinvest in the people that keep it going on a daily basis.

“When the city asked us to take a pay freeze in 2009 we did it without reservation because it was the right thing to do,” Goff said.

Council members Lawrence Webb and Robin Gardner publicly supported the city employee’s fight for competitive salaries. Gardner said she will make sure the employees get the proposed three percent increase but will try her hardest to see if she can find areas to pull from for more compensation.

Webb, who is a state employee and also has not seen a pay increase in some time, said he understands the city employees stance. He recognized the work the city employees have done through all kinds of weather and conditions and thanked them for their efforts.

“I get where you’re coming from and I feel your pain,” Webb said. “I feel obligated as a city councilman to find ways to make sure you’re compensated.”

Widstrom said he’s not trying to break the bank but wants competitive salaries for the employees he represents. He said the city employees definitely deserve a pay increase and hopes that will happen this year.

“It’s hard to say a number,” Widstrom said. “We want what’s equitable.”

For more information on the proposed fiscal year 2013 budget, click here.

Here is the remaining budget development schedule

Public Hearing #1, First Reading of Budget Ordinance and Tax Rate Ordinance

Monday, April 9, 7:30 p.m., City Hall

Public Hearing #2, Second Reading of Budget Ordinance and Tax Rate Ordinance

Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m., Community Center

Town Hall Meeting #2

Monday, April 23, 7:30 p.m., City Hall

Public Hearing #3, Adoption of FY2013 Operating Budget and CIP