FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 10/5/2009) What we're talking about in this story is sort of like an exclusive in journalism.
Somebody gets something big that nobody else gets. When it comes to money, former Mayor Willie Herenton was the King of "cha-ching." Only Herenton and former Chief Administrative Officer Keith McGee were able to get unused vacation day money while they were still working in government.
The reason for this Herenton being able to get money is unclear. There's nothing written down that says the Mayor or CAO were exempt from the rules for all other city employees. "Our Human Resources Director indicated to me that it was an oral policy," says current CAO Jack Sammons. "In May of 2004, the Mayor was paid for the prior 4 years of vacation time, some 108 days to the tune of, I think it was, more than $70,000."
The former Mayor liked to toot his own horn when it came to work. When asked, over the years, was he burned out on the job, Herenton often talked about his passion for being mayor. "I have never taken a vacation since becoming Mayor," is what he said just last year. But he sure took the money. Former City HR Director and City Attorney Sara Hall was the one who allowed Herenton and McGee to collect. Hall says both jobs are so important that when either person was on vacation, the city would not function properly. She says she never put her policy in writing so not to become an issue of a new Mayor took office.
It is an issue now...with a new Mayor in office....even if he is a Mayor Pro-Tem. It is an issue because some City Council members say they are the ones that set the salary for the Mayor. "Every 4 years the council would set the salary," says Councilman Shea Flinn. "This agreement was never disclosed and it would have an impact on our decisions." Flinn says the salary of just over $171,000 is supposed to include vacation pay. "This enables somebody to get an extra $13,000 a year. And in one case it was around $70,000, maybe $75,000 something like that."
Sara Hall says there is a difference between salary and benefits, and vacation time is considered a benefit.
- Memphis Policy says employees can't get cash for unused vacation until they quit or retire
- Former Mayor Willie Herenton and former CAO Keith McGee got money at end of almost every year
- The total was roughly $131,000 for Herenton, $73,000 for McGee
(Memphis 10/5/2009) What we're talking about in this story is sort of like an exclusive in journalism.
Somebody gets something big that nobody else gets. When it comes to money, former Mayor Willie Herenton was the King of "cha-ching." Only Herenton and former Chief Administrative Officer Keith McGee were able to get unused vacation day money while they were still working in government.
The reason for this Herenton being able to get money is unclear. There's nothing written down that says the Mayor or CAO were exempt from the rules for all other city employees. "Our Human Resources Director indicated to me that it was an oral policy," says current CAO Jack Sammons. "In May of 2004, the Mayor was paid for the prior 4 years of vacation time, some 108 days to the tune of, I think it was, more than $70,000."
The former Mayor liked to toot his own horn when it came to work. When asked, over the years, was he burned out on the job, Herenton often talked about his passion for being mayor. "I have never taken a vacation since becoming Mayor," is what he said just last year. But he sure took the money. Former City HR Director and City Attorney Sara Hall was the one who allowed Herenton and McGee to collect. Hall says both jobs are so important that when either person was on vacation, the city would not function properly. She says she never put her policy in writing so not to become an issue of a new Mayor took office.
It is an issue now...with a new Mayor in office....even if he is a Mayor Pro-Tem. It is an issue because some City Council members say they are the ones that set the salary for the Mayor. "Every 4 years the council would set the salary," says Councilman Shea Flinn. "This agreement was never disclosed and it would have an impact on our decisions." Flinn says the salary of just over $171,000 is supposed to include vacation pay. "This enables somebody to get an extra $13,000 a year. And in one case it was around $70,000, maybe $75,000 something like that."
Sara Hall says there is a difference between salary and benefits, and vacation time is considered a benefit.
