Brazil, In. – How much money should city employees in Brazil make? 

That question was considered in two matters to come before the Brazil City Council on Wednesday. 

It was decided 4-0 to give certified pool operators at Forest Park a 50 cents an hour stipend for being certified. Councilman Steve Bell was absent, but he viewed the meeting live on the WAMB Facebook page. 

The decision was made after Mayor Brian Wyndham said other city employees get a stipend when they are certified for their various jobs. 

Certifications make employees “more valuable to the city,” the Mayor said. 

Pool operators will receive $100 per month for three months with that additional 50 cents per hour stipend going to pool operators who gain their certification. 

Pay for city employees also came up when Forest Park Golf Course board member Mark McCollum gave an annual report. 

During the report, McCollum said there used to be a “three-person structure” at the golf course until finances required the course to cut back to one full time employee, a superintendent, who makes $53,308 per year. McCollum asked the city council to raise that salary to $60,000. 

McCollum said he did research on other golf courses and learned the ones he researched paid $65,000 per year each to two full-time employees. 

He added, the superintendent is licensed to handle chemicals used at the golf course. 

Mayor Wyndham asked if the courses McCollum looked at were the same size as Forest Park’s course. 

“Unfortunately, this issue is citywide in every department,” the mayor said. Brazil employees do not receive as much money as employees in many other similar-sized cities. 

McCollum’s request was taken under consideration by the city council. 

In other business: 

• A five-year contract with city firefighters was approved by the city council 4-0. The five-year contract is better than the longer seven-year contract, the mayor said. The firefighters union has agreed to the contract and now it goes to the Board of Works for final approval on April 27. 
• A resolution amending the city’s travel policy was changed for meals only. The cost per meal was raised from $10 per meal to $45 per day or $22.50 per half day unless meals are provided. 
• Robert DeCamp of the Senior Citizens Center asked for $6,000 from the city to add to support from other sources to run the bus for senior citizens. Seniors pay a donation for rides to go the doctor and other needs. 
• “A lot of money will be available” to the city from outside sources, said Mayor Wyndham during council comments. “We have some really big decisions coming down the pike. I mean that in a good way.” 
• Brad Deal said he has received questions from residents about holes being cut in city streets for new gas lines. “It’s a mess,” agreed Mayor Wyndham, adding city officials will have to watch and be sure the company making those holes returns to patch them. 
• Shane Litz reported on a meeting of the Clay County Manufacturers’ organization. He said many good things are going on, especially in Industrial Park. 

The Brazil City Council meets at 5 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month in City Hall. 

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