Council to look at employee pay

The Odessa City Council will look at the pay of the five employees it appoints, including City Manager Richard Morton, at its Tuesday meeting.

Also up for review will be City Attorney Larry Long, City Secretary Norma Grimaldo, Municipal Court Judge Carol Gregg and Associate Municipal Court Judge Dennis Jones.

In 2009, council members voted to keep the salaries for the five appointees the same as they were during the 2008-2009 fiscal year. But that was during a year in which no city employees got raises.

In the budget passed Sept. 14, city public safety officers received a 4 percent pay raise, while other city employees got a 2 percent pay increase.

The council’s agenda also includes a public hearing on the issue of creating a reinvestment zone for the Parks Legado Town Center. Council members will also vote on amending the city’s guidelines for tax abatements and business incentives to allow for abatements for residential properties, as long as they are part of a larger commercial project.

Council members are looking at an abatement for the 70-acre “mixed use” development along Highway 191 between Billy Hext and Faudree roads that would not increase the amount the city has already agreed to for Parks Legado. In April, council members agreed to split half the new sales and property taxes created at the planned center up to $7.9 million.

The abatement is necessary to allow Odessa College to give Parks Legado a tax abatement. State law requires a city government to give an abatement before a college district can do so.

Odessa College is planning an abatement of up to 75 percent of Parks Legado’s property taxes up to $1.5 million.

IN OTHER ACTION, THE COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER:
>> Hiring RCC Consultants for $71,706 to assist the city in acquiring a digital Motorola radio system.
>> Buying FleetFocus fleet management software for $114,902.
>> Second and final approval of a no parking zone along Parks Legado Road between the south service road of Highway 191 and Eastridge Road and expanding a school zone near Blackshear and Milam elementaries and Carver Early Education Center.
>> Buying automotive parts for $60,000.
>> Selling property with delinquent taxes at 720 Barrett Ave. for $700.
>> A 12-month maintenance contract for THE computer software for $133,717.
>> Buying tires for $160,000.
>> The city’s investment policy.
>> Expansion of the depository contract for city funds.
>> Renewing an automated fueling services contract for $2.313 million.
>> Adopting a change to the Texas Municipal Retirement System.