Marine City manager says new post will save city thousands
By Barb Pert Templeton
The Marine City Commission just approved a contract for their recently retired Police Chief James Heaslip to return to the department with the same title but on a part-time basis.
At a June 18 meeting the officials unanimously approved the employment contract which will have the former chief back on the job from 20 to 30 hours a week at a pay rate of $45 per hour.
When City Manager Scott Adkins was contacted via email after the meeting, he explained that the new position is actually a short-term budget realignment that will save the city $40,0000 to $50,000 annually compared to the full-time position. It also provides no benefits such as employee health care, pension or paid leave time.
“The police department is entirely funded through the general fund so any adjustment that we can make to reduce expenditures at this time is critical,” Adkins said.
He also noted that occasionally the city is offered grant funded programs such as homeland security or other specialized grants that the chief might be eligible to participate in, which can save additional funds for the city.
Recently retired Marine City Police Chief James Heaslip will return to the job on a part-time basis.
At the commission meeting Adkins told officials the document they were looking at was the draft of an At-Will employment agreement with Heaslip that he had reviewed along with City Attorney Robert Davis.
“It’s hard to negotiate with a guy with a gun,” Davis joked. “But the chief worked hard on this and he spent some time making sure he was getting what he wanted in the agreement, and we took time to make his changes.”
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Hendrick asked if Heaslip will start over with his vacation time?
Adkins said Heaslip has been paid out for all the time that was owed him and he doesn’t get vacation time with the new position. All that he would get is sick leave.
“He didn’t even ask for his sick time I had to put it in because it’s the law,” Davis said.
Hendrick asked if Heaslip asked for a phone stipend.
“We had that discussion, you saw I put something in on uniforms, but he had no issue with the phone issue,” Davis said.
“Is he eligible for like unpaid time off, people need a break,” Commissioner Rita Roehrig asked.
Adkins replied yes, the chief can get unpaid time off and he has flexibility in his schedule.
Davis then explained that the way the hours are set-up the chief will have 24-28 core hours and he can create his own time off. So, when he’s planning something, he can move his hours around.
“The other benefit we gave him is the right to have overtime on the grant portion of the pay so we didn’t take him out of that loop which he liked,” Davis said. “He was happy with this I can tell you, I promise you, I asked him at least four times is there anything else you need to talk about and eventually he was satisfied.”
“The police department is entirely funded through the general fund so any adjustment that we can make to reduce expenditures at this time is critical.”
Marine City Manager Scott Adkins.
Commissioner Sean O’Brien said while former City Manager Michael Reaves was working for the city there was an ongoing dialogue about standardized contracts and bringing them in alignment together.
“Do we have any other post-retirement at-will employment contracts in the city?” O’Brien asked. “Or is this a first of its kind?”
Davis replied yes, this is the first and it was created from scratch.
Details in the contract:
Termination: If the city terminates this agreement within the first 24 months the city shall pay a departure payment to the employee equal to sixty (60) days of work calculated at twenty (20) hours per week at the pay rate of $45.00 dollars per hour, subject to appropriate tax withholdings.
Employment Hours: The employment hours under this agreement shall be 20-30 hours weekly. If additional hours are required due to an event or emergency circumstance, the Employee shall get a review and approval by the city manager for those hours that exceed those allowed. The employee shall keep an account of the hours worked under this agreement and submit those hours to the city administrative staff through the normal process for payroll purposes.
Payment For Services: The employee shall be paid at the rate of $45.00/hour based on the hours submitted. Payment to the employee shall be consistent with all then existing payroll processes followed by the city administrative staffs including payroll timing, taxation, etc.
Uniforms: Upon a supported request, the city is authorized to pay the employee for new/replacement uniform items in an amount not to exceed $400.00 per any twelve (12) month time period under this agreement.
Insurance Coverage: The employee shall have comprehensive general liability insurance coverage under the then current city policies of insurance, including all rights of defense and indemnity as permitted by law and the policy language. This policy includes coverage for public official and law enforcement. This does not include health insurance.
Benefits: The employee shall not be entitled to any city benefits or benefit programs of any kind except for participation in the city group Life Insurance program as currently provided to non-union city administrative staff members, including any amendments to that program. The employee shall be entitled to all rights regarding earned sick time under the controlling state law and any then current city policy.
To review the police chief’s new contract in full visit the city website at marinecity.gov.
