Council nixes lower salaries to pay for clerk

Havre City Council, at Wednesday’s budget meeting, voted against allowing City Court Judge Virginia Seigel to hire a new part-time clerk.

Ward 4 councilmember Andrew Brekke proposed a budget that would reduce each councilmember’s monthly salary from $200 to $75 in order to pay for the clerk’s salary.

Brekke said that after conversations over the last few meetings, he decided to propose that funds be shifted around in the budget to fund the part-time clerk, including some of the money coming from their own salaries.

“I think we should put our money where our mouth is,” Brekke said. “ … I don’t feel that any of us take this job for the money.”

Seigel is currently allowed to hire for an eight-hour position and said she has experienced problems with her interviews when potential candidates find out how many hours they will be working.

She was attempting to hire for a 20-hour position that would have a third person in her office, after herself and her current assistant, to help get the court back afloat and on top of things, which she said will substantially raise the revenue the court creates.

Ward 2 Councilperson Brian Barrows said he did not have any problem with reducing his salary and moving back-up funds to supply the salary of the part-time employee.

Ward 3 Councilmember Allen “Woody” Woodwick said he was not on the council for the money, but he did have an issue with taking the money from other departments.

“I would like to see this work out more procedurally,” Woodwick said. He also suggested the court pursue grants in order to fund the position.

Ward 3 Councilmember Jay Pyette agreed with Woodwick, adding that he thinks the right way to go about considering the 20-hour position for the court is to get the allowed 8-hour position filled and see what kind of difference it makes.

Barrows suggested that perhaps they propose a levy to create the funds, but Mayor Tim Solomon reminded the council that that is not an option since the city government is maxed out on levies.

Seigel said the inadequate staffing has made it impossible to keep pace.

The council voted 5-3 against the change. The three in favor of budget were Barrows, Ward 4 Councilmember Matt Boucher and Brekke.

Even though voters did away with partisan elections in November, the five members who were elected as Democrats voted against Brekke’s proposal, the three Republicans voted for it.