Public Comment: Resident expresses concern over loss of staff, work flow, wages

Basin town resident Peggy Danna spoke during the public comments portion of the council meeting on July 24. 

She stated that she wasn’t happy with “what is going on as far as the public works department.” Danna continued that the public works foreman (Tony Harrison) was hired as a working foreman, but he is now working in the office. So, the town made a crew member the new crew leader. 

Danna expounded by saying since the foreman was in the office and the crew leader was now a leader the town effectively lost personnel to do the crew work. She added that in addition to that reduction in actual public works staff, the town also lost two crew members. 

“One was fired, one quit. I don’t understand what is going on,” she said. 

Mayor CJ Duncan asked Danna to put her comments into a question so he could answer it. 

Danna continued her comments. She said she had read in the paper that the new foreman already had over $7,000 in overtime. “Which is $5,000 more than any of the other employees. He is not out doing stuff. He was though, on two Sundays, across the street from me at Henderson Field mowing the lawns. I’m assuming he put in for overtime.” 

Danna added that it normally takes the crew three hours to mow the field, but the foreman took six hours on one Sunday. She noted that on the second Sunday, he was working on sprinklers at Henderson Field.  

“These are jobs that should be done during working hours. I’m watching my bills go up and up and up. Which I understand. There are increases in utilities, but we are getting increase after increase after increase to subsidize $7,000.” 

Next Danna discussed the town administrator Deaun Tigner. Danna said she didn’t understand the 29.86% increase from Tigner’s previous salary as the town clerk. Danna told the council what the Greybull town administrator was paid. That administrator has a master’s degree in finance and 30 years’ experience as an administrator. Greybull has 28 employees compared to Basin’s 12 employees. 

“I think money is being spent at our expense for things that are being over inflated. I think there is mismanagement,” Danna said.   

Another concern of Danna’s was that the 17-year-old summer help employee dug a 2 x 2 grave while the foreman and crew leader just watched. 

“How is that working?” she asked. 

Councilperson Brent Godfrey replied, “She is an employee.” Danna said it was the two people watching that she was concerned about. 

Duncan replied, “I’m going to address that very vaguely. You’re going off of hearsay. I would be willing to bet a lot of money that you were not standing at the cemetery watching.” Danna noted that she had spoken directly to the summer help employee. 

Duncan told her, “You’re welcome to have all your opinions you would like.” Danna said the concern was not an opinion; it was verified with the employee. 

“Two people standing and watching her do that. Is she authorized to read meters?” Danna asked, to which the town replied ‘Yes.’ She then asked why the foreman wasn’t out doing work. 

Duncan vocalized his confusion. “I don’t understand. I really don’t want to get into an argument. You have every right to your opinion. You have every right to discuss it. You have every right to bring it to us. But on one hand you’re discussing the fact that we are paying him overtime. But now you are getting after us ‘cause he is not out reading meters. So, I guess I don’t understand.” 

Danna expressed that the foreman should be out in the field working. Instead, he is in the office. There should be a job as a clerk and a job as a foreman. 

Duncan again thanked Danna for her opinion. Danna remarked that it isn’t just her opinion; it is her money. Godfrey commented that Danna still receives all the services as a town resident. 

“Electric, sewer, water. Has any of that quit working? No, because the town crew does what the town crew is supposed to do,”  he said. 

Then Danna noted that the mosquito sprayer hasn’t been around as much. Duncan explained that if the wind is blowing or it has rained the sprayer doesn’t go out. Danna said she understands that. At the same time, in the past the sprayer is out 2-3 times a week. That has not happened this year. She added that if her bills keep raising, she expects things to be done, including a person answering the office phone when people call. She said she has called the office three times in one day and gotten the answering machine each time.  

Duncan told her she would be shocked at the number of calls that come in and there are only two people in the office to answer. “That is why Tony is designated office administration roughly half-day. He is designated as public works foreman for half-day,” Duncan said. Danna then questioned why the public works has a crew lead if the foreman is doing half-days. Duncan replied because there must be a direct person in charge on site. 

Councilwoman Linda Weeks spoke from her point of view as a new councilperson. 

“I have spent the last six months really coming in here, learning and seeing what they do. It is really easy for a lot of folks to criticize what is happening from the town perspective,” she said. 

She invited residents to come into the office to see what the staff is doing. Weeks added that she typically talks to town administrator Deaun Tigner at 7 a.m. as she (Weeks) is driving to work. Sometimes Tigner is still working at 7 p.m. She added the same is true about Harrison. 

Weeks acknowledged that there has been a turnover in staff, so staff is scrambling to get the work done.

“I’m seeing a lot of hard work …,” Weeks said. “Between the budgeting, they are not wasting money, they are trying to save money.” 

Danna questioned then why the $5,000 in overtime for Tigner. Weeks noted that $5,000 divided by 12 months is only $650 a month. Danna added that her town bill is 33% higher than last year. 

Godfrey said the cost of water and electric that the town buys has gone up. 

“Either we get money to pay for it or we don’t supply it,” he said. 

Danna asked how the money for salaries comes out of the resident bills. Duncan said a portion of the salaries comes from the bills. Additional funds come from property taxes, cigarette taxes, fuel and gas taxes, etc. 

“Our enterprise fund, which are water, sewer, electric, mosquito control, raw water. Yes, those pay the salaries of the employees,” Duncan explained.  

Danna expressed that while she doesn’t have a problem with employees making a decent wage, she does have a problem when she compares the Basin town wages to what other administrators from towns that are larger are paying. 

Duncan stated he understands but he wants to paint her a picture. “In 2014 we had town employees that had 12 -14 years’ experience making less than $14 an hour. We as a community should be flat out ashamed of ourselves that we would oppress our employees that far,” he said. 

When Danna pointed out that the Basin town administrator is paid $36 an hour. She was told her hourly rate was figured on a 50-hour work week not a 40-hour one. So, the hourly rate is less. Duncan said Tigner was worth it. 

“Do you not remember six or seven years ago our town was embezzled?” he said. “We had to go out and hire staff that could be trained to do it right. That would work with our auditors and get everything fixed and taken care of. As far as I’m concerned, that side of things are more valuable. Because right now, in today’s society, we operate outside compliance … you think stuff is expensive now … we would have to start paying fines and fees because we are not reporting on time. We’re not recording everything the way we are supposed to. And you’re absolutely right: Who’s going to take the brunt of that? It’s going to be the citizens of Basin. So isn’t it better to live within the bounds of our reporting requirements instead of trying to … just hire somebody off the street..” 

He continued addressing Danna directly saying he understands her frustration. Nobody wants to pay more.  Taxes have been cut. A few weeks before, councilperson Chuck Hopkin asked Duncan how the city of Greybull gets more property tax than Basin. 

“It is simple math. The town of Greybull is bigger, but they also have a house on 90% of their lots. Basin has a house on 55% of every lot. We are not collecting the tax that Greybull is. And our property tax is going down. We still have bills that need to be paid. Where does that come from?” he asked. 

Danna said she understands that but doesn’t understand why salaries are going up. The average salary in Basin is approximately $58,000. She doesn’t expect anyone to live on low wages and she doesn’t want to live off low retirement wages either, she said. 

Weeks made the point that Danna should look at the job description for the administrative position. The duties include payroll, budget, running a town, etc. She again suggested Danna come into the office and observe. Danna responded that she doesn’t believe Tigner is not working. She just believes that the town, like her as a resident, must tighten the belt. 

Duncan stated that the town wouldn’t be able to hire someone to do the job for any less with the results the town has seen. He added it is the same with electric and police departments. 

He also addressed the turnover in the public works department. 

“We have an administration in place now that is requiring our employees to follow the employee policy handbook. If the employee is uncomfortable, didn’t appreciate it, then they had a choice. Their reaction caused the consequences of either leaving or being terminated. It was a direct consequence of their actions,” Duncan said.  

OTHER BUSINESS 

• Jen & Tom Olmstead spoke to the council about a letter they have received regarding sewer issues at 415 West C Street. The town will be flexible and work with the Olmsteads and the adjourning property owner to get the issues figured out. 

• Lost Boyz LLC (Stockmans Bar) was approved for at 24-hour liquor permit, a special event permit for a street dance and a permission letter to use their liquor license in other town. The council approved all three with a change on the time for the street dance. 

• An executive session was held for personnel and contract negotiations.