Alderman Valencia Hall asked her colleagues to disallow extra compensation for employees working longer than the standard 40-hour workweek except in emergency situations, such as those involving police officers and firefighters. She cited “budget constraints.”
However, the Board of Aldermen voted 3-2 against that at the urging of Mayor Dan Gibson, who said Hall’s proposition would unduly “micromanage” Natchez Police Chief Lee Best as he ensures enough officers are on the streets fighting crime and being adequately paid for their work.
“It sounds like political motivation is getting in the way of public safety,” Gibson said in arguing against Hall’s overtime-pay freeze.
In response, Hall said she’s “highly offended (by Gibson’s assertion) this is a political move to save money.”
“We are not saying we are not for public safety,” she said.
Voting against Hall’s overtime-pay freeze: Aldermen Sarah Carter Smith, Felicia Bridgewater-Irving and Curtis Moroney. Siding with Hall was Alderman Billie Joe Frazier. Alderman Ben Davis was absent after falling ill during the meeting.
Frazier, a former Natchez police officer, complained about what he alleged is excessive compensation for high-ranking NPD officers hired by Best since he became police chief in April. They include Shane Daugherty, who was lured away from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as chief deputy.
While there could be a budget shortfall in the Natchez Police Department, Gibson said the city’s overall financial condition is good as it nears the end of its fiscal year in September.
Comments