Perrysburg weighs plan to hire retirees back

Councilman Timothy McCarthy backs a change to let Perrysburg bring back selected retirees. THE BLADE Enlarge | Buy This Photo

Perrysburg leaders are considering a controversial policy that would allow the city to rehire retired city employees. Some say such a move could mean paying experienced workers significantly less in salaries. Others fear it might drain pension funds.

The issue is expected to be brought up during a 5 p.m. committee meeting today in City Council chambers, 201 W. Indiana Ave.

Under the proposed policy, the city could wait 60 days, then rehire a retired employee.

Veteran employees would be paid at the position's lowest pay grade and lose seniority for accruing vacation and sick time but could draw pensions.

City council — which must approve the policy before it takes effect — would evaluate each retiree situation on a case-by-case basis.

For Councilman Timothy McCarthy, the proposal means saving money, which is why he said he supported it.

"You could be keeping a very well-known person at a significantly reduced compensation," said Mr. McCarthy.

Councilman Maria Ermie is against the policy, fearing unintended consequences.

"It's something that has swayed me not to support it," she said.

The policy might encourage a flood of employees to retire at once and deplete taxpayer-supported pension funds, she said.

In recent years, the issue of rehiring employees — which some call double dipping — has been controversial elsewhere. For example, several residents protested against Oregon City Council hiring retired Toledo police Chief Mike Navarre.

The proposed policy could become a public perception issue, Mr. McCarthy acknowledged.

But "the current system is structured to provide double dipping," he said, pointing out that a retiring Perrysburg police chief already is legally allowed to be hired by another city, like Maumee. Under the proposed policy, Perrysburg at least could keep a good employee, he said.

Kelly Chalfant, Perrysburg human resources director, said it was difficult to provide an estimate of savings because the variables are so numerous. She added that 17 city employees are eligible to retire.

This year a crossing guard petitioned the city to retire and then be hired back, she said.