I understand that the budget is trying to cut costs but in pursuing that goal I'm concerned it's at the expense of the people who work for the City. With employees of the State of Wisconsin, Milwaukee County, and City of Milwaukee all contributing to the same pension plan it seems as if the logical thing for someone employed by any of them would be to consider their take home pay; from what I've seen the pay between the three is similar, but not the benefits.
Some examples of things which may be able to reduce costs or improve employee retention:
Follow Northwestern Mutual's lead on having some contributions increase as an employee's salary increases.
Look into whether working with the County on developing a local animal insurance plan would reduce veterinarian expenses; this could also be offered as an optional benefit to employees.
Consider ending the contract with VOYA and tasking VOYA's current responsibilities to the City's Employee Retirement System.
Consider joining the State's health insurance network or copying what they're doing; using a system where the insurers compete against each other.
My name is Becky Flagg. I live at 3124 North 29th Street, in the 7th District. I was raised in this area, and I came back — and it is worse than it was. What happened to taking care of the inner city? Across the street from my home there are overgrown vacant lots, piles of trash, and boarded-up houses. Field mice are getting into my house from those lots. I should not have to pay for pest control every two months because the city will not maintain the properties across the street from me. In front of my own house, there is a bush growing up the light pole. I have cut it down four times. That is not my job. I have enough to do taking care of my own property. There are senior citizens on this block. No one checks on them. No one puts anything into the properties over here. We are taxpayers too, and we deserve the same services as everyone else. I am asking you to fully fund the people and programs that do this work: DNS inspectors, DPW-Forestry lot maintenance, and the program that tears down houses that cannot be saved. Demolition alone is not enough — the lots must be maintained afterward, or the problem comes right back. Please step up for us. We need your support. Thank you.
To the honorable Alderpersons and staff:
I understand that the budget is trying to cut costs but in pursuing that goal I'm concerned it's at the expense of the people who work for the City. With employees of the State of Wisconsin, Milwaukee County, and City of Milwaukee all contributing to the same pension plan it seems as if the logical thing for someone employed by any of them would be to consider their take home pay; from what I've seen the pay between the three is similar, but not the benefits.
Some examples of things which may be able to reduce costs or improve employee retention:
Follow Northwestern Mutual's lead on having some contributions increase as an employee's salary increases.
Look into whether working with the County on developing a local animal insurance plan would reduce veterinarian expenses; this could also be offered as an optional benefit to employees.
Consider ending the contract with VOYA and tasking VOYA's current responsibilities to the City's Employee Retirement System.
Consider joining the State's health insurance network or copying what they're doing; using a system where the insurers compete against each other.
Thank you for your time
My name is Becky Flagg. I live at 3124 North 29th Street, in the 7th District. I was raised in this area, and I came back — and it is worse than it was. What happened to taking care of the inner city? Across the street from my home there are overgrown vacant lots, piles of trash, and boarded-up houses. Field mice are getting into my house from those lots. I should not have to pay for pest control every two months because the city will not maintain the properties across the street from me. In front of my own house, there is a bush growing up the light pole. I have cut it down four times. That is not my job. I have enough to do taking care of my own property. There are senior citizens on this block. No one checks on them. No one puts anything into the properties over here. We are taxpayers too, and we deserve the same services as everyone else. I am asking you to fully fund the people and programs that do this work: DNS inspectors, DPW-Forestry lot maintenance, and the program that tears down houses that cannot be saved. Demolition alone is not enough — the lots must be maintained afterward, or the problem comes right back. Please step up for us. We need your support. Thank you.