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DUNKIRK: Benefits are no drop in bucket

Talking municipal employee benefits is never easy — and usually happens behind closed doors. But last week, city of Dunkirk officials were quite open in discussing the high cost that comes with employees.

Probably the most eye-opening aspect of the talk was the total cost, which is often glossed over by many municipal elected officials. According to Marsha Beach, fiscal affairs officer, a streets worker making base pay of $46,000 ends up costing the city $82,000 roughly when adding in all the incentives — that’s an additional 78% of the worker’s salary.

“It becomes an issue when people say, ‘Why are you bringing in part-timers? Why don’t you just hire two full-timers?’ ” Rosas said at the workshop. “Well, the two full-timers end up costing the city again over $100,000 easily. Two part-timers will cost the city about $26,000.”

Going a bit further, benefits are a major chunk of the city’s $24 million budget plan that has yet to be approved. All told, those costs make up more than $2.6 million or a little more than 10% of the spending.

In an era of a pandemic, council and the mayor have no power to adjust those expenses.

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