(PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION … Bryan Board of Public Affairs Chair Karen Ford reads from the charter.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan Board of Affairs met on Tuesday November 5th. Called to order at 5pm, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited prior to roll call.
All members, Chair Karen Ford, Vice Chair Annette Schreiner, Bob Eyre, Dick Long, and Jim Salsbury. Also in attendance was Clerk-Treasurer John Lehner and Director of Utilities Derek Schultz.
The meeting minutes from October 15th were approved. Business moved to Resolution 25-24 authorizing the salary of BPA members beginning in 2026.
Presented by Lehner, he explained the proposed increase. The prior increase from $150 per meeting to $250 dollars per meeting occurred in 2009.
This resolution would increase the per meeting rate to $300. Lehner also informed the board that the city council would be having a similar discussion.
Several board members voiced concerns with the resolution. Long stated that with the increasing cost of living he did not feel right about asking for an increase and if passed would be donating his portion to the Good Neighbors Fund.
Salsbury echoed his sentiments and added that he felt the board was fairly compensated for the amount of time dedicated by members.
Eyre offered a counterpoint stating the talent and expertise on the board warranted the raise especially considering the time frame from the last increase, stating that most businesses offer a yearly cost of living raise of around 3%.
Eyre also brought up that it could potentially encourage people to run for the board. Recognizing that more interest in local government is highly needed, Salisbury was skeptical that $50 would make much of a difference.
Chair Ford shared information from the charter pointing out that compensation was grouped with the city council, not in a separate section for the Board of Public Affairs.
Ford shared her interpretation of the intent of the charter being written this way was to have the board and city council compensation to be increased at the same time.
Ford also spoke on the comparison to other cities’ board compensation, stating “We are on the bottom end of that list.” Motioned by Eyre and seconded by Schreiner, the resolution did not pass, with two members, Long and Salsbury, voting no.
Next order of business was to semi-monthly disbursements, motioned by Salsbury and seconded by Schreiner.
Closing out the meeting was comments from BPA and staff. Director of Utilities Schultz began by providing an update on an application submitted in April for a grant to upgrade substations, requesting $3 of the $6 million required.
Unfortunately, the grant was not approved but Schultz stated they are looking into alternative funding as well as applying again in 2025.
Schultz highlighted line worker Noah Landel and Derek Wyrick who recently spoke to St. Mary’s School students about their experience helping with hurricane aid.
Schultz also congratulated several utility employees for gaining new certifications and licensing, including Jimmy Dunning, Chad Fitzenrider, and Stuart Martin.
He also highlighted Lee Steinke who was featured in a video for AMP’s “People Moving Public Power Forward” campaign, which can be viewed on American Municipal Power, INC Facebook page.
Schultz closed with a reminder the internet service would be ending on December 9 and customers should find an alternate provider.
Board members all congratulated the utility workers on their hard work and continued education in their respective areas. Long spoke about a letter they received expressing much gratitude for the hurricane aid.
The meeting adjourned to executive session at 5:21 pm.