By Erik Harris, sports editor
SPRINGVILLE — The Springville City Council, as it has throughout the pandemic, held a virtual meeting on Monday night.
Via Microsoft Teams, Mayor William Isley Jr. and the council adopted a resolution that will likely improve benefits for many city employees. A unanimous vote passed the resolution that will give Tier 2 employees, which are employees that were hired by the city in recent years, the same benefits Tier 1 employees receive.
According to fire chief Richard Harvey, Tier 1 personnel can begin drawing retirement after 25 years of service, while Tier 2 personnel can only retire after reaching the age of 62.
“Do we really want firemen and police officers having to work until they’re 60 years old because they can’t retire yet,” asked Harvey. “That’s why it is such a big benefit. This applies to all employees—public works and everybody else, but it has a big effect on our public safety personnel.”
Harvey says the move was a must in terms of being able to hire quality employees in the future.
“If I have the option to go to work for two organizations and one of them allows me to retire in 25 years and the other does not allow me to retire until I’m 62, I’m definitely going to be thinking about what direction I’m going,” said Harvey.
According to the council, several surrounding cities have already made this move, which became available across the state in 2019.
“As someone who has been in the system 28 years as a Tier 1 employee, Richard (Harvey) is absolutely correct—this is a much better benefit,” said councilmember David Vinson. “I think everyone is going to be really happy with this.”
The Springville council also passed a motion to purchase $5,907 worth of youth football equipment. A motion was later passed to purchase sewer treatment plant pumps from Morrow Water Technologies for up to $16,000.
Springville rescheduled its Monday, Sept. 7 meeting to Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 8 a.m.