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July 30th, 2010
On July 20, 2010 the Hardy city council introduce a resolution which would, eventually, end a controversial benefit extended to the city council. This benefit has been looked down upon by some citizens because it not only gives free health insurance to the city council members but their families too.
The resolution that was proposed was an attempt to remove the health insurance benefit for elected city officials due to budget constraints. Even if the resolution was to pass, those members who currently are covered under the plan would be able to keep it for the current fiscal year.
It is interesting that of the six city council members, the three attending the meeting were the ones who had already “opted out” and had NOT taken advantage of this benefit. However, the three who were absent from this city council meeting were indeed the ones who do receive the health benefits. Maybe they aren’t really benefiting since they were unable to attend the very type of council meeting that allowed them the benefit in the first place.
Mayor Thornton informed the council that by law, a benefit already in effect that is part of the budget can not be taken from those who currently recieve it. If the current proposed resolution remains unchanged it would not only take it away from the three city council members, but also from the Mayor of Hardy as well as the Recorder/Treasure too.
A Special note, because only three of the six council members were present, thus no quorum, the Mayor was able - under law, to sit as a fourth voting member. However after City Councilman, Raymond Hicks pointed out that the three city council members who get the insurance were not even present, the discussion of the resolution was put off.
In other business Council members were informed of a proposal by the Sharp County Hospital Foundation for a one cent sales tax to help fund a new hospital. Additionally the ongoing eyesore of a unfinished residential building was finally given approval by the city to remove it from the neighborhood. The property owner Mrs. Roland has failed to clean up the property and complete the construction or remove it herself. The Council voted to put out bids for the removal of the building.
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6 Responses to “City Council’s Health Care Benefits”
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And I guess if the City Council members failed to perform their duties as well, the citizens would frown upon that as well! Seems as though you can’t win for losing ’round these parts!
It is ashame that half of the alderman couldn’t make it to the regular meeting! Especially one with a vote that effected the very ones that didn’t show up. I don’t think its about winning or loosing, just about showing up for your elected job. And that goes for ’round any parts of the country!
Kim, If I failed at my duties, I would expect to be ‘frowned’ upon. Every business that I’ve ever worked at did an annual performance evaluation. This is what most businesses use in order to decide if a “merit” raiese is warranted. If the City Council fails to perform its ELECTED duties…yes, it is the duty of the citizenry to “frown” upon them and to vote them out of office. Does this surprise you? Its what our country is based upon. Its not a matter of win for losing, its a matter of asking what is needed to be done and then going about doing it. The City Council works for the Citizens of Hardy Arkansas…not themselves and not the Mayor. That is the way it is supposed to work…Or do I have it all wrong? I just run a small business in Hardy and have grown it successfully for 3 years in a downturned scarry economy. But…what do I know? I can tell you this…I haven’t popped the bottle in the bottom of the ocean and decimated the livings of thousands of Americans…currently, my business supports over 100 families…not too shabby for dude from New Jersey.
Marc Herring
Ozark Classic Crafts Mall
As for the 3 council members who were not present to discuss the perk that they receive (at taxpayer expense) then they should LOOSE it. NO QUESTIONS ASKED…snooze, you loose. The council members get paid even if they DON’T show up for a meeting. I don’t know, seems shady if you ask me (and nobody did). If I missed a day of work, I lost pay.
Looks like the city council voted themselves a health insurance program. Wonder what the vote was?
Was this at a regular scheduled city council meeting or at a so called “emergency meeting” were no one gets enough advance notice to attend!