Community center board cuts employee salaries
CONNELLSVILLE — A depleted bank account and outstanding invoices for April resulted in the Greater Connellsville Area Community Center Board agreeing on Monday to cut employee salaries.
Beginning immediately, the hourly salary for the center maintenance worker and secretary will be cut by one dollar and the salary for a part-time maintenance worker will be slashed by 50 cents per hour.
It is estimated the savings will net about $570 per month.
“I don’t like the thought of doing this, but it will keep everyone working,” said board member Tom Hodnik in making the motion. “(The savings) is not a fortune, but at least we’ll be able to pay some bills.”
Initially, the board was considering the layoff of the part-time worker.
“We have three good employees and we don’t want to lose them,” said board member Gayle Stafford.
The amounts were the raises given to the employees two years ago.
“When we get back to where we should be, we’ll reinstate it,” said Hodnik.
Mark Livingston, the full-time maintenance worker, said that he supported the pay cut to help keep the center operational.
“I can sacrifice for a while,” he said.
Last month, the board directed the employees to maintain a daily six-hour schedule to stabilize the payroll.
According to the financial report, after meeting its April payroll expenses and paying a few bills, the bank account stands at about $50.
“We should start to see some money start to come in (May 1),” said Patty Handford, board vice president.
However, unpaid April invoices total about $1,900, and, through May 15, payroll, taxes and utilities are estimated at about $4,000.
Recently, the Community Action, Women, Infant and Children program relocated from the center to a downtown Connellsville location, reducing the number of tenants, and income, from the center.
According to the financial report, the organization paid about $590 to rent each of its two rooms in the Fairview Avenue building, but is about $4,500 in arrears. Two other programs are also behind in their payments.
Board member Sue Wagner speculated that about $3,800 would be received from tenants today, but much of the revenue would be directed to payroll on May 15.
The board agreed to delay certain payments until the cash flow improved.
Secretary Lori Kosisko reported that three potential tenants had inquired of available rooms and rates. However, there has been no leases signed.
Longtime tenant Little Buddies Day Care has requested to rent an additional room and will begin paying an additional $546 in mid-May, she added.
To bring attention to the center’s needs, the board plans to hold an open house during the Memorial Day weekend and offer a variety of opportunities for former students of the school to financially assist in the day-to-day operations.
Board member Roy Taylor said that engraved plaques will be offered to those wanting to honor a former teacher or in memory of a loved one.
The board will also take part in scheduled downtown activities during the holiday weekend to accept donations.
“We need help,” said board member John King.
In other action, the board also agreed to add Kim Hawk to the board. Hawk, a former board member, is a Scottdale resident and Family Development director for Community Action.