Water Plentiful As Irrigation Season Begins
By Debby Schoeningh
Due to the wet and cold weather, irrigation season was off to a slow start, but the ditches have been cleaned and the water is flowing — a welcome sight in contrast to last year’s drought.
Jeff Colton with the Baker Valley Irrigation District said Dooley Mountain received record snowpack this winter, however a lot of it went into the ground rather than the river. But not so much that it dampened his spirits.
“I’m loving this year,” he said. “It’s by far a lot better already than last year.”
Baker City Manager Holds City Staff Salary Discussions With City Councilor
By Brian Addison
Baker City Councilor Gail Duman met with City Manager Steve Brocato Monday afternoon for a discussion on the city's proposed 2008-09 budget. Duman's main point of concern during the meeting was over the proposed salary increases for the city's non-union represented staff, administration and department directors. The meeting began with Duman calling the proposed salary increases "enormous," while Brocato referred to the increases as "paltry" when accounted for using a macro economic management perspective.
Baker City's proposed budget shows the salary increases for the non-union represented employees. Brocato explained that the city manager has discretion to determine the salary of non-represented staff. Brocato said that there are several factors that go into non-represented city staff salary increases. There is a Cost of Living Adjustment increase of 3-percent, there are Step increases, and traditional raises, according to Brocato.
Council Approves City Budget, Over $300,000 In Increases For 2008-2009
By Brian Addison
The Baker City Budget Committee voted to approve the City of Baker City 2008-09 Budget as submitted by City Manager Steve Brocato and staff. Brocato and Baker City Finance Director Jeanie Dexter guided city councilors and the Budget Committee through the proposed budget with discussion on each department and funding category.
City Manager Brocato handed out a budget summary letter and a two-page Explanation of General Fund Changes listing changes to recurring and nonrecurring budget items. The summary letter is addressed to Mayor Jeff Petry, City Council and the Budget Committee and begins by describing the budget as "the true plan. It dictates where time and money are being spent. True policy flows from the budget process."
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