By LLOYD DUNKELBERGER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Despite a topsy-turvy year in the world financial markets, Florida’s $142 billion pension fund managed to show a gain for the seventh straight year….
Tag: Pensions
Fire and police pensions still up for consideration by Florida lawmakers
The Florida Legislature will take another look at overhauling state pensions during the 2014 session if House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz have their way. News Service of Florida…
Firefighters, City Continue Discussion
Local firefighters and city of Pensacola officials continued discussions today over contract negotiations. An agreement has yet to be reached. “They discussed they’re high-point issues and we discussed our high-point issues,†John…
City, Police Union Reach Agreement
Following the Pensacola City Council’s unanimous approval of agreements between the city and the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 71, Mayor Ashton Hayward and police union president Erik Goss took a few…
Hayward on Pensions
city press release: Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward will hold a press conference tomorrow (Friday, December 21) at approximately 2:15 PM to make an announcement about pension reform. The press conference will be…
It’s time to end this nonsense
We have two has-beens–scions of old Pensacola–that are out to stop a project that will revitalize downtown Pensacola and, in the process, are trying to become relevant. Marty Donovan is the classic…
Promise is DOA with Entrenched Eight
Sadly but as anticipated, eight Pensacola City Council members voted against Pensacola Promise yesterday….more accurately they voted to study it more, which is the much-used tactic by the City Council when it…
City Pension solution
If Consolidation is recommended by the commission and that plan includes merging Energy Services of Pensacola into a utility authority, then ESP shouldn’t be given. Instead, it should be sold to the…
Even more pension stats
The City of Pensacola has 2008 estimated population of 53,820. The two Florida cities that are closest in populations are Bradenton (53,513) and Margate (54,086). Bradenton has a blended system. General employees…
Pension plan train wreck
One of the biggest examples of the financial risks in having an administrative branch of city government that isn’t directly answerable to the public is the city pension/retirement system. The staff –…
Mack responds to Pension ideas
From Councilwoman Diane Mack: Dear Rick, In response to today’s blog post regarding Dr. Pratt’s pension proposal, I would ask that you give thoughtful attention to the following: * If Dr. Pratt’s…
Pratt may try one more time on pensions
One of the big issues during the 2008 city election season was the city pensions – which are costing about $14 million a year to fund. Councilwoman Diane Mack has tried to…
Pratt tackles pensions and benefits
Pensacola City Councilwoman Megan Pratt has posted on her website her recommendations for city pensions and benefits. She has reviewed the plans from Gulf Power, Baskerville-Donovan, O’Sullivan Creel, Escambia County, and others…
Big day for City Council
What will the Pensacola City Council do about pensions? City Manager Al Coby has recommended a study of wages and benefits. Price tag $25K. Will it accomplish anything except maintain status quo?…
Another city study for $25K
Pensacola City Manager Al Coby is recommending to the city council a $25,000 comparative study of the city’s compensation, benefits and pension plans. The city employees and unions have endorsed the proposal….
“Why we are firefighters”
This comment was posted elsewhere on the blog. I think it deserves more attention: After the pension workshop I had a few thoughts I felt compelled to write down… you; however, are…
A year later PNJ writes on pensions
In its Sunday edition, the Pensacola News Journal has a story on how pensions are breaking the city budget. On April 24, 2008, we wrote about this issue (Feed the Beast). We…
Elebash costs fire pension $3 million
I’m not serious, but that would be how Elebash, Fairchild and others would be spinning the losses of the City Fire Pension, if Quint Studer had been the one that voted to…
Others see Pension Crisis
John Charles Thomas, director of Policy and Political Affairs for the Florida League of Cities, wrote a viewpoint for the Tampa Tribune, “Pension Crisis is Looming for Cities.” The trouble stems from…
PNJ article another indicator of great divide
There is a great divide between local government employees and the public they serve. Sunday’s article on the city compensation in the News Journal shows how out of sync things have gotten….