Commissioners Increase Police, Civilian Pension Plans

The Town of Bel Air Board of Commissioners approved a pair of resolutions Monday night that will significantly increase pensions for town employees.

As part of an attempt to keep retirees from withdrawing all their money in one lump sum, the board approved “enhanced benefits” that would allow for annual payouts of up to 60 percent of a police officer’s final three years average salary and 55 percent of a civilian employee’s average.

The current pension system for sworn officers and civilians pays between 40 and 50 percent of an employee’s average salary for their final three years before retiring. (For a full table of the changes, .)

Chairman David Carey was the lone dissenter to changes to the sworn officers’ pension plan. Both Carey and Commissioner Terence Hanley voted against changing the civilian plan.

After the meeting, Carey said he didn’t think it was the right thing to do when money is still so tight. 

“These are very tough fiscal times and a vote to increase the pension is forever,” he said. “It’ll cost us $45,000 this year and every year thereafter—and if we increase the number of employees then it’s going to be that much more. We’ve essentially agreed to increase our pension contribution in a very difficult fiscal time and I just don’t think that’s wise.”

The commissioners also accepted a pair of resolutions for which they will hold a public hearing at a later date. The first is an adjustment to the fiscal year 2011 budget and the second is a change to town fees.

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8:04 p.m. The meeting is adjourned. More updates to follow.

8:03 p.m. Commissioner Robert Reier commended the town police for their work at the events this weekend.

8:02 p.m. Carey said the commissioners usually do not speak on non-local issues, but that the board will consider the issue.

Hanley commended Kevin for coming out.

8:01 p.m. A Baltimore City resident named Kevin is asking the commissioners to show local support for House Resolution 14-18, the Glass-Steagall Act, which was repealed in 1999. He said the commissioners can help influence local politicians such as Andy Harris to bring the resolution back.

He said the resolution is contributing to increased cost of living increases. He is also criticzing federal bailouts of banking systems.

He said it is the first step toward an economic recovery in the country.

7:58 p.m. The commissioners voted on a slight change 

7:56 p.m. The accepted the resolution unanimously. There will be a public hearing at a later day.

"Essentially the increase in revenues that come in, we have to account for [them]," Carey said.

7:55 p.m. The commissioners are next preparing to vote on a resolution that would amend the fiscal year 2011 budget.

From the general fund, the Town of Bel Air is being reimbursed for work on a new fiber line.

The line will improve Internet connectivity. It will also help link Town Hall to the Department of Public Works and the Board of Education to Southampton Middle School. Money was also spent for repairs to police vehicles.

From the special revenue fund, a total of $236,130 comes from a grant from the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and a Community Legacy Grant.

In all, the changes will increase the 2011 budget by $186,752. The money would be made up from a number of revenue sources, including red light camera revenue and reimbursement from Harford County schools for use of police for security.

7:52 p.m. The civilian pension plan resolution passed by a vote of 3–2. Commissioner Terence Hanley and Carey voted against the changes.

7:49 p.m. The plan passed by a vote of 4–1 with Carey voting against. He said the terms were not originally what he understood the change to be.

The civilian plan is now up for vote.

7:48 p.m. Carey noted that the resolutions would make final what was already approved to be funded in the fisca year 2012 budget.

7:47 p.m. The pension plan changes are now up for debate. If passed, annual pension payouts would increase by 45 percent of an employees ending salary (the average of the final three years) to a maximum of 55 percent for civilians and 60 percent for sworn police officers.

Employees who make an eary withdraw from the pool of funds would not be eligible for the enhancements.

The sworn officers plan is being voted on first.

7:44 p.m. The commissioners have received a resolution that proposes changes to town fees. It will not be voted on at this meeting.

Commissioner David Carey noted that the town does not look to make a profit on these fees.

7:42 p.m. The commissioners have approved the awarding of a pair of contracts to Professional Auditing Services and BASB 45 OPEB Valuation services.

7:29 p.m. Attendance is sparse as the Board of Commissioners meeting is about to begin. The .

A number of other resolutions and contract awards are scheduled to be voted on, too. There are no ordinances, meaning there will be no public hearing before the votes. There will, however, be a regularly-scheduled public comment session toward the end of the meeting.

For background on a failed temporary pension increase late last year, and .