GROVE CITY, Ohio -- During tough economic times, should a city government spend taxpayer dollars to hold a holiday party for city employees?
That question confronted the Grove City Council Monday night.
In a 3-2 decision, council members voted to budget $2,000 for a 2010 staff party.
For the past few years, 140 Grove City employees and retirees have had a pot luck holiday celebration and the city hasn't paid for anything. But that will change next year.
The price averages to approximately $14 per person, not including retirees. Council President Ted Berry was one of two council members to vote no on the budget, saying that the price was not an appropriate use of taxpayer money.
The money was taken out of the mayor's budget a week ago, but Councilmember Larry Corbin asked that it be added back in.
He said the luncheon recognizes employees' hard work and the city doesn't have to spend all of the $2,000 that was budgeted.
"Their thought was that since the raises have been minimal and the staff's done, they felt, a good job over the last couple years," said Don Walters, Grove City spokesman. "The $12 to $14 for a once-in-a-year lunch to appreciate the staff seems to be in line and adequate."
Proponents point out that the $2,000 is a fraction of the city's budget of more than $20 million.
Berry said he and another councilmember offered to donate $100 instead of spending taxpayer money. To that, Corbin said he heard Berry's offer but he hasn't seen the money yet.
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