During Friday’s work session, the Starkville board of aldermen discussed possible cuts to its operating expenses in anticipation of a projected $1.3 loss in sales tax revenue attributed to COVID-19.
The aldermen have earmarked $737,000 in savings through all city departments. A significant percentage of those savings come from furloughing 47 employees, which is a little more than 15 percent of the city’s workforce.
It is likely that most of those employees furloughed will be low-wage earners under the theory that pay is commiserate to relative value. That means the people most dependent on that pay, those most likely to live paycheck-to-paycheck, are the most likely to be furloughed.
The mayor and aldermen, sensitive to the economic hardship it is certain to create for those employees, have suggested their pay be reduced by 20 percent as long as the furloughs are in effect. Mayor Lynn Spruill, a full-time city employee will forfeit $1,250 monthly from her annual $75,000 salary. The city’s seven aldermen, who are each paid a $20,000 annual stipend and are essentially part-time employees, would forfeit $333 monthly.
Combined, that 20-percent cut would save the city $3,581 monthly which is roughly equivalent to the pay of two entry-level city employees.
The proposed sacrifices of the mayor and board are meaningful. They show the city leaders are willing to suffer alongside city employees. We humbly believe the elected leaders could do more, though.
If the aldermen really want to make a sacrifice, one that reflects the severity those furloughs represent, they should consider forfeiting the entirety of their pay until the furlough has ended.
If you’re doing the math, that would save the city $11,666 monthly, enough to cover the salary of about five entry-level employees.
Remember, the aldermen are essentially part-time employees, and all have other primary sources of income.
If the aldermen wish to share the suffering of those soon-to-be furloughed workers in the most meaningful way, forfeiting their $1,666 in monthly pay would make the strongest possible case.
We understand it’s easy for us to make this suggestion when we have no skin in the game. Because of that, we’re offering this only as a proposal to consider when the topic comes up for discussion in tonight’s board meeting.
But we do believe the move would be a real and symbolic gesture. It would be an heroic one as well.
This could be their finest hour, one that city employees and citizens (voters) aren’t likely to forget.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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