Originally posted Wed, 2009-06-10 22:24
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NSBNEWS.net photo by Sera Frederick. New Smyrna Beach police Cmdr. William Drossman received a 10% pay increase in June because of a budget oversight that saw him earning far less than sergeants reporting to him, Interim City Manager Khalid Resheidat said.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Because of a budget glitch that had gone on for several years, police Cmdr. William Drossman was making far less than the sergeants who reported to him, said Interim City Manager Khalid Resheidat.
"For the last four or five years, he was underpaid," Resheidat explained of the one-time upward market adjustment. "This was a problem related to negotiations for union salary increases. The commanders aren't part of the union."
Drossman, whose hourly rate climbed to $32.20 from $29.27 with the $6,500 raise, was only the 19th highest paid cop on the force last fiscal year at $61,120.14.
Resheidat said he's fully aware of the economic times, but this was a glaring problem that needed to be fixed.
"We have several personnel issues -- that was one of them," Resheidat said, of the April 19, adjustment that comes under the purview of his office.
Drossman declined comment, saying only that he was pleased the issue was finally addressed.