PUC

OKs wage

adjustments

Department to release year-end reports later

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The Utilities Department's full-time, non-unionized employees will receive a general wage adjustment amounting to 3.25 percent in 2003.

The Public Utilities Commission Tuesday approved the increase, retroactive to Jan. 1, which "mirrors what the City Council approved for the city's full-time, nonunionized employees at its last meeting," City Manager Brian Gramentz said.

The wage-benefit package will rise to $1,312,949 for 2003, an increase of $50,475 or 4 percent above the 2002 package. This translates to a $2,371.20 raise for the department's No. 2 position, utility planning and development engineer, to $75,254.40.

Director of utilities, a position as yet unfilled, was listed at $80,371.20 in 2002. However, no figure is listed for 2003 because the position is vacant. The lowest-level pay grade, clerical assistant III, rose almost $1,000 to $24,897.60 to $30,513.60.

As has become the custom over the years, the department did not report any financial figures for December or year-end.

"Staff felt it would be premature to submit a report even at the preliminary level," Interim Director Daniel Sonnek reported.

"At year-end there are adjustments that need to be made in preparation of the audit. An example of this would be invoices that are being authorized for payment at this meeting that are coded back to 2002."

Sonnek said staff will be preparing for audit field work that is scheduled for the week of March 4. A financial summary will be released sometime after that date.

The commission was informed that work on reissuing the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System/State Disposal System permit at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has ground to a halt because the staff person working on it has accepted a position elsewhere in the agency.

Utilities staff members aren't concerned about the development because, even though the old permit expired nearly four years ago, the department still is able to operate under its provisions in the meantime.

That means, Sonnek said, that the department doesn't have to deal with probable reductions in phosphorus content which would be required under a new permit.

Commissioner David Lynn took his oath of office in replacing William O'Connor who retired in December from the board after serving 11 years and 11 months. The commission is working on a way to honor O'Connor for his service.

Finally, the commission voted to start future commission meetings at 7 p.m., rather than 7:30 p.m. as it has in the past. In doing so, the commission is following the lead of the City Council which began meeting at 7 p.m. at its annual meeting earlier this month.