Pension study added to COW agenda

City staff has made a last-minute addition to Monday’s Committee of the Whole agenda, inserting an item concerning the award of a contract for a “compensation and benefits study.”

In the agenda item, City Manager Al Coby explains that in response to discussions at last month’s pension workshop, City staff contacted the Mercer Group, which advised the City that “their current workload would allow them to
provide the study desired by the City at a significantly reduced fee [of $25,000].” Mr. Coby goes on to assert, “Given the possibility of a one-time opportunity to have a compensation and benefits study performed for an exceptionally low cost, staff is of the opinion that the offer should be accepted.”

We understand the staff position, and don’t begrudge them for wanting to bring forward what may be a good deal. However, we take issue with the fact that this item is being brought forward at the last minute, late in the afternoon on the Friday before the Monday meetings. Earlier this year, we applauded the City’s move to release meeting agendas earlier. Those earlier release dates allow the public to be better aware of public business. That benefit is rendered moot, though, with last-minute additions of this sort.

Furthermore, while the $25,000 is dramatically lower than Mr. Coby had anticipated, Progressive Pensacola still doesn’t see the need for a study on this issue. That $25,000, in our opinion, would be much better spent any other number of other ways, such as filling one of the budget holes, or offering additional neighbourhood grants.