by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
The City Council’s Finance Committee unanimously recommended approval of an updated cell phone policy for Council members Monday morning. But despite previous reports that the bill could cost taxpayers more than $44,000 annually, the amended legislation slashed through a good portion of that figure.
Council member Michael Corrigan, who sponsored the bill, pared down the legislation just prior to the Finance Committee’s regular meeting. Instead of offering a maximum $150 monthly cell phone stipend and an annual $550 allowance for equipment, Corrigan suggested that each Council member be reimbursed for no more than $130 each month — $90 for telephone calls and $40 for any extra services — and that any language in the legislation related to purchasing hardware be stricken.
Corrigan, who told the committee he only wanted to improve Council communication by updating the cell phone policy, said annual costs associated with the plan should remain relatively low.
“As we’ve worked on this piece of legislation, we’ve found that many Council members already have cell phones or some other type of converged communication device,” Corrigan said. “So, in the substitute bill, we’ve removed the provisions that would reimburse Council members for any additional hardware they decide to purchase.”
Corrigan later responded to allegations that suggested Council cell phone invoices would skyrocket with the new policy, saying that “We’ve never had a Council with 19 cell phones and we never will.”
“The media has made mention of some very high numbers and that simply isn’t true,” he said. “Since I’ve been on the Council, no more than 14 Council members have had phones and the average bill is $130 per month.”
Corrigan added that with the passing of the cell phone legislation, any overages incurred by Council members would be taken out of their pockets and that Sunshine Laws, which prohibit elected officials from discussing City business without prior notice, will also remain in tact.
The Council’s Personnel Committee will be charged with further developing cell phone policies at its next meeting.