City confirms time and a half for two new holidays, $53,604 daily payroll

During Monday night’s City Council meeting, motions were unanimously passed proclaiming the November General Election Day and Juneteenth as city holidays, starting with 2020. City manager Tony Sears confirmed the two additional city holidays would be paid. Statements during the meeting confirmed there would be no extra cost to the taxpayers.

“The salaries for a single day across all budgets is $53,604.17,” said Sears. “For holidays the Police Department operates with two twelve hour shifts and the Fire Department operates one twenty-four hour shift. Only those individuals who are scheduled to work are eligible for one and a half pay.”

“I did verify that employees that work regular hours will be paid but not get time and a half,” said Council Member Antonio Hardy. “Those employees that work twelve hours or twenty-four hours, such as police and fire, they will get paid time and a half.”

Councilmember Kristal Suggs introduced the November General Election Day motion, which passed unanimously. Mayor Don Hardy presented a proclamation to recognize Juneteenth as a city holiday. Councilman Hardy made a motion codifying the Juneteenth date, which was also unanimously approved. Neither motion referenced the single-day cost of city salaries, nor was there discussion of that fact.

Citizens took to social media following the meeting suggesting that emergency services employees should get paid time and a half for holiday pay, which potentially would be an extra cost for the city in direct contrast to the vote’s portrayal.

In a follow-up conversation with Neuse News, Councilman Hardy stated, “A lot of times, when these issues come up on city council, a lot of details are not explained. When they came to us for a vote, speaking for myself as the newest member of the council, they should have been a little bit more forthcoming about the details I received. From my understanding they weren’t time and a half days but once the question was asked, I did the research.”

Hardy expressed regret for not asking those questions before the vote.

“I just want people to understand as city council members we try to do our due diligence to do the right thing for the citizens of Kinston and the people who work for us,” said Councilman Hardy. “From this point forward, I will ask more questions when I’m making decisions. That’s probably something I should have asked.”

Councilmember Sammy Aiken referred questions concerning the holiday pay to the city manager but said, “We’re looking forward for people to come out and take advantage of the day to go ahead and vote for their choice. We’re not trying to lean anyone to any different party or anything. Get American citizens get out and vote.”

The council also discussed another financial issue that came as a surprise during the Monday meeting. An invoice was paid in the amount of $7,125 to the Eastern Carolina Council of Government (ECCOG) that had not been discussed with the council prior to the meeting. Councilmember Robert Swinson asked about the impact the invoice would have on the budget and how the city became a member of ECCOG. The council did not vote on payment of the $7,125 invoice nor for joining the ECCOG.

“I thought the council members had to vote to join an organization,” Swinson stated in Monday’s meeting.

No one claimed responsibility for ordering the invoice be paid and the subsequent membership in the ECCOG. Debra Thompson, the city clerk, paid the invoice because it was placed on her desk to be paid. She stated discussions will be had in the future related to invoices.

Sears said he did not have knowledge of the invoice, or membership in the ECCOG.

“I wasn’t aware we were a member of that organization,” said Sears.

The city council voted to seat Mayor Hardy on the Eastern Carolina Council of Government’s board apart from Councilmember Robert Swinson, who voted no.