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Providence council slashes mayor's salary By
Heidi Thueson PROVIDENCE -- In a controversial 4-1 vote, the City Council decided Tuesday night to slash Mayor Alma Leonhardt's annual salary from $22,000 to $3,125. Deon Johnson, the only council member to oppose the resolution, then moved that the council amend the resolution so it can be changed before Jan. 1 if the council has a change of heart. The motion was not seconded. Normally, the number of people who attend council meetings can be counted on the fingers of one hand. At this meeting, however, the room was packed with more than 50 people who attended to hear the fate of Leonhardt pronounced. The council has been considering the resolution to change Leonhardt's salary for some time, amid allegations that he is not qualified enough to be paid for city administration as well as for his mayoral responsibilities. In the past, mayors have delegated administration duties to others. Shortly after Leonhardt's re-election in 1998, he began performing those duties himself in return for the increase in salary. But this week the council voted to return Leonhardt to his previous salary and duties. The change will take place on Jan. 1, 2003, rather than the proposed July 1, 2002, at the request of Councilman Dennis Nelson. "We've been asked to make a decision that's ethically right versus fiscally responsible," said Nelson. "It's not about degrees and skills, but day-to-day experience." The resolution was also amended to keep the salary of council members at its current $725 per year, rather then the proposed increase to $825. In a statement to the council, investigations committee member Sharell Eames accused council members of intending to eventually change the city's form of government with the passage of this resolution. Eames also cited Utah Code 10-3-826, which states that any elected official who shall "willfully be guilty of oppression à is guilty of a class A misdemeanor." She defined oppression as the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome or unjust manner. "To cut an elected official's salary by as much as you propose is burdensome and unjust," Eames told the council. Paul Cook, another member of the investigations committee, urged the council to find a compromise. He suggested that local experts be used to assist Leonhardt in making educated decisions. "I think it is completely wrong and unjust to take Alma's salary away," Cook said. "He has served this city well. He is a good man." The floor was opened up to citizens to speak their minds on the issue. Several citizens were very vocal in their support or opposition of the resolution to change the mayor's salary. Most sat quietly in their seats, shaking their heads as tension infused the room. Former mayor Pat Braegger pleaded with the council to wait until the next election to make their decision. "I think the people of Providence have a vote,ö Braegger said. At the end of the meeting, Leonhardt spoke in his own defense. "I've been taking shots for three weeks now," he said. "I'm not saying I haven't done my job, but some of the council has not. If they had stopped to talk to me, there would be no problem." Leonhardt also expressed his wish to compromise. "Yes, there's been some friction [between me and the council], but those things can be worked out. I get along with all of them fine." Nelson then moved to approve the resolution to cut Leonhardt's salary, and was seconded by Councilwoman Wendy Simmons. The council voted 4-1 and approved the resolution. "We have a job to do," Nelson said. "We need to move on. We need to be civil and stop spreading rumors and half-truths." As the meeting adjourned, Leonhardt thanked those who came out to support him.
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