By Jacque Day
Murray, KY – The Murray city council unanimously agreed Thursday to settle with 27 firefighters who sued the city for back overtime wages. The city will pay $350,000, which includes the fee for the firefighters' Houston-based attorney. Murray will also pay standard Kentucky Retirement System and FICA contributions on the settlement amount. City finance director Alan Lanier says he believes the opposing attorney's fees will be subtracted before KRS and FICA are applied. But still, the combined contributions will add more than 40% to the tab. Lanier says, how the settlement will be paid is yet to be decided.
"Of course, any budgetary decision is at the will of the finance committee and the full council. Our recommendation will be that we pay it off in one lump sum, that it will come in next year's, this current budget that we're working on, 2011's budget."
This settlement comes amid ongoing strained budget talks. The finance committee is scheduled to meet Monday to discuss the budget for the coming fiscal year. Lanier says the next budget revision he prepares will include the settlement amount.