- April 25, 2024
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In light of unionized city employees calling for higher pay rates to help with recruitment and retainment, Ormond Beach city staff will present unions with a memorandum for consideration to adjust pay rates mid-contract, announced Mayor Bill Partington during the City Commission meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 4.
The announcement was made following a shade meeting (not open to the public) earlier in the day where commissioners and staff discussed the upcoming contract negotiations. Partington said city staff were working on a pay study to prepare for the negotiations, and that after reviewing the information, the decision to adjust rates mid-contract was reached.
“This more timely adjustment will help in attracting and retaining an efficient and effective workforce that can maintain the high quality of service Ormond Beach prides itself on providing,” Partington said.
Three representatives from different unions approached the City Commission during meetings held on Sept. 22, Oct. 19 and Nov. 16.
The first was David Randall, vice president of the Ormond Beach Professional Firefighters, who asked for a better pension plan and benefits for firefighters. Ormond Beach Police Officer Robert Pearson was the second, and he also asked for a better pension plan in addition to higher starting pay rates to help fill the department’s vacant positions. At the time of the Oct. 19 meeting, OBPD had 11 positions open, and was down 22% in sworn personnel.
Ormond Beach city employee Ed Wilson was the last, and as union president of the National Association of General Employees, spoke about the ongoing shortage of workers within the city’s Public Works division due to the low wages offered.
During the commissioner’s final remarks of the City Commission meeting on Tuesday, Partington said he wanted city employees to know that the commission appreciates their work.
“We hear you when you talk to us as a commission, and staff as well,” Partington said. “We’re not tone deaf. We understand and hear the exact same conditions that are going on in the economy on a national basis and on a local basis that you do. So mainly, I think that’s the primary driving force for what we did.”
Commissioner Rob Littleton said he was satisfied at the progress made on the issue during the shade meeting.
“For the unions, I hope you look at that very much in detail form and come back to us with what you think,” Littleton said. “I think you’ll like it.”
The city’s pay study is still underway.
The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at The Casements to discuss safety improvements on A1A from Milsap Road to Granada Boulevard.
According to a press release, the project is meant to improve traffic operations and enhance pedestrian safety. The $3.3 million project, which was initially presented to the community in December 2020, has since been revised to address concerns.
The project plans to add eight new pedestrian crossings, with flashing beacons, along A1A. Three raised landscaped islands have also been proposed.
FDOT is offering three different ways to participate in the meeting. Citizens may attend in person at The Casements, located at 25 Riverside Drive, anytime between 5:30-7:30 p.m.; listen over the phone by calling 1-866-901-6455 and entering the passcode 958-419-867 when prompted; or join a virtual webinar. If choosing the latter option, you must register in advance at bit.ly/3DawmQb.
Volusia County Schools’ graduation rate is at its “highest ever” after the 2020-2021 school year, having increased to 91.9%, the district announced Tuesday.
VCS reports the graduation rate has grown over 13% in three years, and surpasses the state average of 90.1% for the first time.
University High School in Deltona reported the largest increase — 10% — in its graduation rate. Nine out of 10 high schools reported an increase in their graduation rates; Spruce Creek High School saw a decrease of 0.6%
Last year, the graduation rate was reported at 87.7%.
Editor's note: A previous version of this article reported that Mainland High School's graduation rate had remained the same for the 2020-2021 school year as the 2019-2020 school year. That is incorrect; Mainland's graduation rate increased by 3.5%.
The City Commission unanimously approved a resolution of intent to adopt its redistricting ordinance, scheduled to be heard at the Feb. 15 and March 1 meetings.
Since 2010, the city’s population has grown by 13%, or 4,941 people to total 43,080. Zone 3 saw the most growth, with 1,810 more people, or 18.86%.
