Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) – After nearly 40 minutes of discussion on the proposed “bump-back” ordinance, the Sioux Falls City Council is right back at square one. On the advice of city attorney David Pfeifle, the council voted 7-0 to table discussion on the ordinance, which by the end of the night had morphed completely.
When the meeting began, the ordinance would have ended the bump-backs completely. Meaning that city officers would not have the opportunity to return to their old jobs once they have been promoted. For example, if the city hired a new police chief from within its current staff, he or she would not be able to return to their former job if for some reason a new chief is hired.
Those supporting the ordinance asked if those rules don't apply in private business, why should they apply to public servants? Adding that it discourages the city from looking for outside employees and gives current employees a distinct advantage when high profile jobs become available. While those against argue that it could cause those within the city’s police or fire rescue squads to not peruse higher job openings for fear of having to uproot their families and move if things change in a year or two.
As discussion amongst the councilors and public input was taken, including input from current Police Chief Matt Burns and Fire Chief Jim Sideras, the ordinance took a complete 180 degree turn in support of bump-backs for public servants, except when an employee is removed for cause such as disciplinary reasons or poor performance. Following that proposal, Pfeifle recommended the measure be deferred to a later date to allow everyone time to digest the changes.
The council will now scratch all of the amendments and consider the issue during their December 15th meeting.
During the discussion, both Sideras and Burns expressed support for bump-backs. Burns said “we have not seen this as a particular problem in the police department.” Adding that when Doug Barthel was appointed as Chief of Police, the former Chief was moved back to the rank of Captain and put in charge of designing the new Law Enforcement Center and that there was never “a specific issue” between them.
As for Sidaras, he said his support comes from a motto of family first. “That’s what we teach our fire fighters, all through the ranks.” Saying that if a firefighter is offered a promotion without bump-back protection, their new job would likely have to survive two or three different mayors. “Do I want to put my family at risk? If it doesn’t work out, there isn’t another fire department in town. There isn’t another police department in town. We are a limited skill set; we would be going to another city.”
Sidaras also warned that removing bump-back protection could force the city to look outside its current ranks to fill high level jobs. If that happens, the city could see its turnover rate increase drastically as outsiders use Sioux Falls to pad their resumes for bigger jobs. “Rapid city went to a Chief from Omaha. He stayed for a couple of years then he went to Milwaukee. Watertown brought a Chief in from the west coast; he stayed for a couple of years and went back to the west coast.”
It should be noted that the original ordinance, which called for an end to bump backs, was amended to allow for bump-back rights for any appointed officer that would be serving the city on December 31st, 2015. Meaning both Sidaras and Burns would have been grandfathered into the rights.