One Jefferson City councilman is advocating a new resident suggestion program that would reward those who submit cost-saving ideas.
At the Council Committee on Administration meeting Wednesday, 4th Ward Councilman Glen Costales presented his idea for a new suggestion program.
According to Costales' description, anyone would be eligible, except elected city officials, department directors, assistant department director, purchasing department employees and all immediate family members of ineligible people. Suggestions would be submitted in writing and contain "at a minimum the current process, the suggested change and anticipated annual savings ... Any approved and adopted suggestion will result in the suggestor receiving 20 percent of the city's first year savings" not to exceed $10,000 per idea.
Several council members were hesitant to move the idea forward, noting many details would need to be worked out, including who would get credit for an idea that was suggested, but already being worked on by staff behind the scenes at City Hall.
Third Ward Councilman Ken Hussey said he would be interested to know if this type of program has been implemented in other cities and how things turned out in those instances before moving forward on one in Jefferson City.
Many cities have some type of employee suggestion program, that seeks input from current municipal employees on ways to improve efficiencies and cost-savings, with some programs offering cash rewards.
But Mansfield, Mass., has a cost savings incentive program open to all residents that states if an idea is implemented and at least $100 is saved, "the submitter will be eligible for a reward of 1 percent of the savings actually realized as a result of the suggestion."
The state of Connecticut has its own suggestion program open to all residents and employees that offers rewards for adopted suggestions. According to the state statute
establishing the suggestion program, suggestions that are adopted but "produce benefits not measurable or impractical to measure in dollar savings" will be awarded no more than $100. Other suggestions are eligible for an award of either $10,000 or 25 percent of the net savings during the first year of implementation, whichever is lower.
City Attorney Drew Hilpert said staff would look into suggestion programs offered by other municipalities and return to the committee with the results.
Costales also recommended a new policy that would require candidates filing for city office to provide a completed background check done by the Missouri Highway Patrol in the last 30 days. Costales said all city employees have to have a background check and requiring that of the elected officials would ensure everyone is subject to the same rules.
Other council members questioned the purpose of providing background checks, with 5th Ward Councilman Larry Henry noting elected officials essentially have background checks done through the media.
City staff was directed to look into policies from other municipalities concerning background checks on elected officials.