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Bettendorf officials might get an allowance

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By David Heitz | Tuesday, May 6, 2008 12:16 AM CDT | () comments

Bettendorf soon may join the few Iowa cities that give public officials a business allowance to pay for meals when attending community events.

During an unusually long and spirited committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday night, the City Council discussed a proposed policy on the use of public funds for community events, employee morale and the purchase of meals. The issue came to light last year when Mayor Mike Freemire discovered he had been inadvertently lax in reimbursing the city for his wife’s meals at various community functions. The city reimburses the officials themselves for such expenses.

Freemire immediately paid the money — $390 — and City Administrator Decker Ploehn said a policy was needed to govern when Bettendorf should dole out public funds to elected officials.

At Monday’s meeting, City Attorney Greg Jager showed the council a proposed policy stating that the city would only pay for an elected official’s spouse at “ceremonial” events, meaning the official would be recognized and would not attend otherwise. The policy also states that the city should not donate public funds to charities unless such donations contribute to the public good.

The restriction includes employees who serve on boards or volunteer for charities during company time. “There has been some concern by some persons that the fire department shouldn’t be using fire trucks and stopping traffic for solicitations for (the Muscular Dystrophy Association),” Jager said.

Alderman Joe Douglas, 2nd Ward, said the policy goes too far. “I think it is admirable to try to be sure that these things are not done in excess, but I fear we are running the risk of damaging a good thing. I don’t want to encumber the council with this issue.”

Freemire agreed. “I’m a little bit concerned about Pandora’s box being opened in fixing a problem that doesn’t need to be fixed.”

Douglas said the city should pay for the meals of public officials’ spouses on some occasions.

“I do believe there are occasions where the official’s spouse should go. I’d hate to say, ‘I’d like to bring my spouse, too, but Bettendorf has this squirrely requirement.’”

Davenport and Scott County do not reimburse officials for a spouse’s meals. Only about five cities out of about 900 in the state of Iowa do so, Jager said, and those offer their officials business allowances.

Alderman James Stewart, 5th Ward, said he likes the idea of business allowances and Alderman Tim Stecker, at-large, agreed.

Alderman Patricia Malinee, 4th Ward, had a different view. “People don’t pay taxes so we can take elected officials’ spouses out to eat,” she said.

Jager said he will come back to the council with a revised policy in about a month or so.

“We have some work to do here,” City Administrator Decker Ploehn said.

David Heitz can be contacted at (563) 383-2202 or dheitz@qctimes.com.

TONIGHT’S AGENDA

The Bettendorf City Council will meet at 7 p.m. tonight in the council chambers of City Hall, 1609 State St. The first item on the agenda is a public hearing on whether The Abbey Hotel, 1401 Central Ave., should be allowed to operate as an addictions treatment center.