DODGE CITY — The Dodge City Town Council reduced the amount of a yearly, supplemental pay increase for its employees Thursday, Dec. 12, after some brief deliberation between councilmembers.

State law prohibits municipalities from offering employee bonuses. Instead, many towns will offer a one-time, supplemental pay increase ahead of the holiday season. Last year, Dodge City increased the pay for all its employees by $600 for the month of December. During Thursday’s meeting however, councilmember Teeara Johns questioned providing the increase for the town’s two part-time employees.

“I don’t personally feel like giving them the full amount that we gave them last year is acceptable,” Johns said.

Councilmember Heather Langley disagreed, particularly when it came to the town’s long-time employee who has provided cleaning services at town hall on a bimonthly basis.

“I feel like that would be a slap in her face and it would feel like we were telling her that she’s not as appreciated as she used to be,” Langley said.

Councilmember Robert South questioned whether Langley should be involved in the discussion due to her husband, J.J., being a part-time employee himself. However, she was allowed to participate under the condition that she abstain from voting on the pay increase for part-time employees.

“I’m not advocating for my husband,” Langley said. “I’m talking about [redacted]. She is the one getting shafted.”

Johns suggested providing part-time employees an increase of $150. Langley’s suggestion of setting the amount at half of what the town’s full-time employees would receive fell on deaf ears and the council unanimously approved Johns’ motion with the exception of Langley, who abstained.

Although Johns originally stated she was on board with having the pay increase for full-time employees remaining the same, she motioned to reduce the amount to $500.

“It’s nothing against their work performance at all,” Johns said.

Langley was again the only council member to defect from the majority who approved the amount.

In other business the town:

— Held its first reading of an ordinance to approve the annual Severe Weather Preparedness Tax-Free Holiday. It plans to hold the second reading to finalize the ordinance during its January meeting.

— Tabled a discussion to resurrect the formerly annual Dodge City Day celebration.

— Heard from Township Deputy David Pitts that an overnight deputy had been assigned to cover the areas between Dodge City and Good Hope and that they would begin patrolling next month.

Patrick Camp can be reached at pcamp@cullmantimes.com or by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 238.