The Pine Bluff City Council on Wednesday met to discuss the 2022 city budget and particularly raises for non-uniformed employees.
One of the ideas under consideration is to use money received from the Saracen Casino to help pay for those raises.
Council member Bruce Lockett however suggested other methods, including one offered by the financial consultants hired by the city.
Internal auditor Gina Devers said if the city were to follow the recommendation, some city offices would not be able to function, citing for example a recommendation that the money paid for building maintenance services be significantly reduced. She went on to say that the city has now taken on additional buildings like the old city library and the old Bank of America building downtown.
Former Finance Director Steve Miller, who is now retired, was at the meeting and said this.
Council member Glen Brown Jr., who chaired the meeting, also said he did not want to have to depend on casino money to fund raises.
