Tuesday night’s vote on a proposal to adjust the pay scales for the non-union employees at the City of Weirton wasn’t so much a surprise that there was dissent, but by how much.

The amendment to Ordinance 1313 was voted down by a vote of three in favor and four against. If you’re interested in learning who voted which way, there was an article in our Thursday edition reporting on the vote, as well as some of what was said when the item came up for consideration.

Whether you agree with the idea of these non-union workers receiving these pay adjustments or not, the fact is this is a topic which has been going through dialogue at the Municipal Building for most of the year.

The idea was raised shortly after the current administration took office, and, since then, there have been three work sessions held by the mayor and members of council to discuss the proposals and hash out any details.

They were held May 27, July 30, and Sept. 24. I was there, and have articles reporting on all three appearing in our newspaper the day after each meeting. Those workshops are open to the public, by the way, so anyone who is interested can attend and listen to the debates.

There were questions asked at each of these work sessions, and, from my understanding, adjustments made as a result of those discussions. There was even the idea of periodic cost of living adjustments being incorporated at some point.

By all appearances, councilmembers and administrators left that Sept. 24 session (which was scheduled for two hours but concluded in about 35 to 40 minutes) with clarity and understanding. I could still foresee one or two voting against the measure, but, as I said, to have four come out against it was a surprise.

Also, as it was pointed out, two of the four voting against the measure Tuesday also serve on the city’s Finance Committee.

The primary job of the Finance Committee, which meets the week prior to the regular Weirton Council meeting, is to review all resolutions and ordinances which have a monetary component, discuss them and decide whether to recommend the measures to city council.

When the ordinance offering the pay scale amendment came up during the Finance Committee’s Oct. 10 meeting, it was given the go-ahead by a unanimous vote from the committee’s three members, with absolutely ZERO discussion.

Those meetings also are open to the public, by the way.

There are two other issues that surrounded this vote that should be pointed out.

The first is the idea that, after so many months of discussion, there shouldn’t be any more when it comes time to vote on the legislation.

While I understand the source of the sentiment, there should ALWAYS be discussion when it comes to action taken by a governing body. Yes, it takes up a lot of time, but the idea of simply reading a bill, making a motion and then casting a vote without any commentary goes against the very function of said governing body.

That, in a weird way, goes along with the other nit I’m going to pick.

During Tuesday’s discussion, one member of council claimed he had been presented with new information which turned his vote. When asked to present the information, he said he didn’t have to.

Let me be perfectly clear…you are elected by the people to represent their interests. That includes the men and women whose livelihood you are affecting by voting on salary ordinances. It’s one thing to not have a 10-minute conversation about buying a couple hundred cases of paper or other office supplies. When it comes to the big-picture items though, you should ABSOLUTELY explain your vote.

(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)