Berkley Public Safety Contract Saves $47,000

Berkley recently approved a one-year contract for Deputy Director Robert North that will save the city approximately $47,000.

Under the contract – which the City Council approved July 16 – North will be considered an at-will, nonunion employee with a salary reduction of approximately 5 percent and an increase in leave time.

North is retired from the department and receiving benefits, City Manager Jane Bais-DiSessa said Monday. Even so, keeping him on as a contract employee saves the city versus hiring someone new at full pay and with full benefits, she said.

"In terms of time and money, we're saving money," Bais-DiSessa said. "Just by him contracting alone, he has been able to save the city $47,000 and that's a significant amount of dollars the city doesn't have to pay."

She said that under the contract, North will not receive overtime, accrued leave or longevity pay. He will receive insurance through the city's retirement fund rather than its general fund under the contract that runs from July 17 through July 16, 2013, Bais-DiSessa said.

The contract stipulates that North "must continue to hold, State of Michigan certifications of Firefighter and Police officer."

"The Deputy Director is second in command of all operational function within the Public Safety Department and exercises supervisory control over its personnel, reporting only to the Director," the contract says.

North will be paid up to $73,566 for the year, or $35.3683 per hour, according to the contract; he also will receive 160 hours of leave and 80 hours of sick leave "to be utilized on a use it or lose it basis."

"I think we're all pleased that we're going to have him for at least another year," City Attorney Dale Schneider said.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that BPS Deputy Director Robert North retired from the Berkley Public Safety Department.