Lisbon City Council approved cell phone stipends for employees this year, with $50 being sent for Christina Eicher, Brandon Siggins, Travis Bagby and Drayton Kamberling.
City administrator Brandon Siggins explained he was asking for the $50 stipends for those four employees, as they are more apt to use their cell phones as mobile hot spots.
“We all need internet access at times to do our jobs,” Siggins said.
As well, the phone stipends will be paid quarterly moving forward, so they are not taxed.
Council member Rick Scott was in favor of all cell phone stipends being paid increasing to $50, but Siggins said he was only interested in changing the stipends to $50 for those using mobile hot spots or data plans with their phone.
Bagby said he is not interested in carrying two separate phones.
Salary increases approved for Lisbon city staff
The council also established a 4 to 4.5 percent increase for city staff, which will go into effect July 1 of this year.
City administrator Brandon Siggins said he was interested in having the increases for salaries be approved now as opposed to later in the budget process, as it helps him establish the budgeting process.
Consumer price index was at a 3.2 percent increase in December 2024.
Council member John Bardsley said that he would like to see employees increases be above that average, and suggested 4 percent increase.
Council member Rick Scott motioned to approve no higher than 4.5 percent, no lower than 4 percent as the rates for staff salary increases this year. The motion passed unanimously.