Hiring never seems to be a hot topic in city government – unless it is for a low-paying position.

Earlier this month, council members fought over the potential hiring of two part-time positions costing $10,200 annually for oversight of the city’s cable access channel. While much larger paid positions and raises gain little attention in Dunkirk council, $10,200 brought almost an outcry.

“If you give one person $425 a month and another person $400 a month and then $20 per event, that’s more than council members are making for a lot more time that I put into my job,” said Councilwoman Stacy Szukala. “My personal thoughts are we should reconsider and pay per event and not monthly. If they’re going monthly, you’re talking about two council meetings, sometimes an event here and there, but to have a guaranteed paycheck monthly for coming for two hours for that kind of money, I think a lot of people would like to have that job.”

Compared to what the city pays its attorney – more than $70,000 annually, this is not a lot of money for a position.

Besides, the city needs to look at other positions that are being overpaid. How about the development department? Anyone see those positions, which total around six figures, bringing any tangible results?

More than a year ago, the fiscal affairs officer received a 67 percent pay increase – from $30,000 a year to $50,000. Nobody on council complained then.

We are not advocating for the city to make another hire. We are, however, asking them to look at the bigger picture. The $10,200 positions make up 0.0005 percent of the $22.3 million budget.

In other words, it is a waste of time.