You are paying for their Country Club memberships!

[Tee]

Voted 3-1 to amend Pederson’s contract to include a social membership at the Dodge City Country Club.

In a separate motion, the commissioners voted to pay Pederson’s monthly dues at the country club.

Pederson said the membership provided for former City Manager John Deardoff, which Pederson is currently using, is a social membership and not a proprietary one. A proprietary membership entitles the holder to full use of the club’s facilities.

The city has a long-standing practice of paying the city manager’s country club dues so the manager can take people there for business lunches.

Lee voted against both the amendment and the appropriation, saying he did not think the city should be paying for the city manager’s membership.
“I just believe it’s an expense that we don’t need and sends the wrong message,” he said.

But Commissioner Jim Lembright said he was on the commission when it agreed to pay Deardoff’s membership dues, and he saw no difference between Deardoff and Pederson. “I’m personally OK with it,” he said.

You damn right it sends the wrong message!

Business meetings are one thing, but this extends to social use as stated in the proposal. I think Pederson should be ashamed of himself for even asking that the taxpayers pickup the tab for his liquor, food and funzies for him and anyone else he chooses to wine and dine at the country club. This is sooooo open for abuse.

[Outofdodge]

Originally Posted by Tee

Business meetings are one thing, but this extends to social use as stated in the proposal. I think Pederson should be ashamed of himself for even asking that the taxpayers pickup the tab for his liquor, food and funzies for him and anyone else he chooses to wine and dine at the country club. This is sooooo open for abuse.

I think you need to re-read exactly what the social membership is Tee. It does not give the social member unlimited access to the golf course, voting rights, nor does it include food and drink tabs. Any personal use of of the country club for family and friends would be covered under the county's expense reimbursement policy, whatever that may be. But I would assume if the county got the entire bill he would have to reimburse the county for those costs. There is no such thing as a "business meal" only membership. The social membership gave one access to the restrauant, bar, pool and a few rounds of golf a year. The full membership includes voting rights and essentially unlimited golf.

Paying for an executive's country club dues is not out of the ordinary and especially in Dodge City. There was no really good place in Dodge City to hold a business meeting and have a fine meal without going to the country club. Unlike a lot of things from the city government, this is money well spent and we're talking something less than $100/month.

[K C Muffin]

Country Club memberships and all that are fine for executives of businesses, but I don't get what the city gets out of his membership. In my business, a CC membership is an ordinary expense. The biggest deals are made on the golf course. I understand about the city being able to hold meetings there if they hold a social membership....but are there any other places in town? I dunno - it's probably around $1000 a year that's essentially wasted money. There's no need for the city manager to wine/dine clients - who would his clients be? So they're spending $1000 a year to reserve a space to have a lunch meeting once in a while? Hmmmm.

[Outofdodge]

Originally Posted by K C Muffin

but are there any other places in town? I dunno - it's probably around $1000 a year that's essentially wasted money. There's no need for the city manager to wine/dine clients - who would his clients be? So they're spending $1000 a year to reserve a space to have a lunch meeting once in a while? Hmmmm.

When I left in 2004, there was Casey's, some place that had just re-opened after a fire, and a steak joint in the mall where a typical *business* meal could be had. I had a "social membership" just so the wife and I could have somewhere different to eat once in a while and I would have somewhere halfway decent and quiet for business stuff. If I recall correctly the cost was around 85/month. I don't golf so I did not spring for the full membership.

The city manager is the chief executive for the city. If ever there was a city in need of economic development Dodge City is it. To put it in real terms, if they were to raise his pay to cover the annual dues, it would only be a 50 cent per hour raise. If it was 10K/year I would think differently about it.

[K C Muffin]

Originally Posted by Outofdodge

To put it in real terms, if they were to raise his pay to cover the annual dues, it would only be a 50 cent per hour raise. If it was 10K/year I would think differently about it.

You have a point there.

[TexKan]

Hell I'd like a job that I think a 50 cent raise isn't worth havin!! That a raise isn't worth talkin about unless it's 10,000 a year............. I think it sends a message in itself!! The majority of us agree on a salary - we don't get to increase the perks unless we are renegotiating at the end of our contract - not in the middle of it. If it's considered a "raise" then the question is does he deserve a raise?

[Bubba]

This is such a "non-issue" issue!!! Read this quote from the story.

The city has a long-standing practice of paying the city manager’s country club dues so the manager can take people there for business lunches.

We aren't giving this city manager anything that hasn't been given to previous city managers. We didn't give him a raise. Fifty cents an hour or otherwise. Basically all that happened was the current membership at the country club expired and the city renewed that membership just like they always have, regardless of who is the city manager.

[Made in the USA]

Well, I think the City Mgr should take us all out for lunch then, so we can talk some business--------------

[Bubba]

But I don't think wienies and sauerkraut are on the menu at the country club.....

[TexKan]

So is the Lee comment about sending the wrong message a personal thing between him and Pederson .???? OR could it be that perhaps someone actually doesn't feel that the city needs to buy a CC membership (social or not) for anyone??? Just cause "ya always did it" doesn't mean it's where ya want your city money spent every year. It could be said that it really does send a wrong message and truth is it obviously isn't a "non issue" to Lee. I think those type things are in the budget and don't need a special vote. They don't vote for the payment of the Chamber dues - it's in the budget.

I feel if a city employee wants to go to the CC - let him buy a membership. OR have the city buy a membership that any high profile wheeler and dealer can use - but it can only be used on city business - golf games included!