WSET.com - ABC13Danville Considers City Pay Increases Amidst Potential Cuts

Reporter: James Gherardi l Videographer: Jonathan Merryman

Danville, VA - Some in Danville are calling for pay raises for city workers as major city budget calls are being made.

The suggestion to the city council comes on the heels of an announcement that a Danville city library may have to shut down so the city can stay afloat.

City officials say for too long employees' pay checks have been neglected.

"We have employees who came on board within the last five years that haven't seen any increases in pay like the rest of employees for that matter," said Joe King, Danville's city manager.

City employees's pay checks have remained stagnant since 2008. But now budget talks include the possibility of closing libraries, fire stations and schools. Pay increases are back in the discussion.

"In terms of all the programs and facilities we run, they have to be staffed appropriately. We've got to make sure that we have the best and brightest to serve our community," said King.

The city is considering performance-based pay increases. The Police Department says it's about time, citing inequality among pay between officers.

"We've hired a police officer who has gone to the academy and has four years' worth of experience and that's considerable and is making the same pay as someone who is hired tomorrow," said Chief Philip Broadfoot of the Danville Police Department.

But not everyone is on board.

"To see raises going out now when the private sector has not seen raises either in years, and a lot of people in the private sector are actually surviving on less than what they used to make," said Danville city council member Fred Shanks.

Shanks has refused to vote off on a budget that would approve performance based pay increases while cutting critical city services.

"When you're talking about closing schools, and libraries, and fire stations, that's a pretty serious situation," he said.

Full time city employees received a holiday bonus of almost $1,000 this year. Officials say performance based pay increases can motivate employees to do well while simultaneously incentivizing new workers.