October 11, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 23 . . Council In Favor Of Pay Increases FROM PAGE 22 “In principle, I think there is nothing worse than showing your team that you’re not concerned with them and you don’t value them and under-compensate,” he said. “And I think that’s true in any business or any organization and I think that’s true here. Not only do we owe our employees but we should have the best team possible and to motivate them we should have fair compensation.” How the city would fund it was Day’s concern. Day took issue with one of the cost reductions, deferring repairs for the River Walk, and one of the revenue increases, taking over fire inspections from the county. “I just wonder if that’s really the best place to raise revenue in order to implement this plan,” Day said. The takeover of fire inspection services, a projected $150,000 revenue increase, especially concerned Day. The service is currently run by the county, and while Day acknowledged that the city might want to start a dialogue and perhaps eventually perform that role, taking the service over for quick revenue might sour things between Wicomico and Salisbury. “I don’t think we’re in a position where we know enough to say that needs to be implemented at the expense of our relationship with the county or the relationship that we’re trying to form with the county and the direction we’re trying to head with them,” Day said. Day recommended removing the fire service inspection from the list of new revenue sources and also questioned the savings coming from deferring River Walk. The project wouldn’t be delayed but bonding on it could be, saving the city $119,000 in FY14. Councilwoman Laura Mitchell also had some questions about the funding sources but not to the degree that Day did. Bond flexibility with River Walk could be advantageous, she admitted, but if the current bond rates jump then the city will lose money in the long run by waiting. Mitchell also had some concerns with fire service inspections, though more so with the fact they are not required regularly post-construction than whether the city or the county should be the one conducting them. A city takeover could be complicated, she added. Councilman Tim Spies had his own funding suggestions and encouraged administration to further explore the revenue from speed enforcement cameras and how that money could be used. The revenue is only supposed to be applied to public safety, he continued, but that can be a broad term. The most important thing, said Ireton, is finally giving employees a raise, especially those in departments like public works who are some of the lowest earning in the city. Mitchell agreed, saying that even the most loyal employee might jump ship if Salisbury falls too far behind. DIRECTONS: Off Rte. 90, Take Casino Exit South And Left At 3rd Light Immediately On Your Right Southwest Bar & Grill • 410-208-1383 11033 Nicholas Lane, Ocean Pines • Ocean Pines South Gate Entrance HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY 4 P.M.-7 P.M. • $1.25 TACOS DINNER SPECIALS • Monday: $1.25 Taco Night LA HA RITAS $5 • RAIL MARGARITA $3 • Tuesday: $11.95 Steak or Chicken Fajitas RAIL DRINKS $3 • DOMESTIC BEER $1.50 • Wednesday: $5 Burgers And Burritos IMPORT BEER $2.50 • HOUSE WINE $3 • Thursday: $1.25 Taco Night • Sunday: $11.95 Steak Or Chicken Fajitas PREMIUM WINE $4.25 LIVE ENTERTAINMENT EVERY THURSDAY: KALEB • SATURDAY, OCT. 12: MICHAEL SMITH FRIDAY, OCT. 18: FULL CIRCLE DUO OPEN EVERY DAY AT 4 P.M. WWWOCLAHACIENDA.COM Reservations For Groups Of 8 Or More Smoke-Free Awarded Hall Of Honor By The Restaurant Association Of Maryland October 13-27 At Fager’s Island Fine Dining 3 course dinner for $40 Fager’s Island 60th street in the bay 410-524-5500 • www.fagers.com