The Greece Town Board voted on Thursday to eliminate several management benefits that officials say were costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past four years.
Earlier this month, Town Supervisor Jeff McCann proposed that the town board vote to amend manager benefits put in place in 2022 that officials say allowed management staff to take advantage of lucrative benefits that were not available to other town employees.
The town says the most egregious policy allowed management-level staff to cash out unused sick time upon retirement. McCann said that since 2022, six town managers have been able to cash out 100% of unused sick time upon their retirement, totaling nearly $350,000.
Also amended is the retiree health insurance provision, which was changed in 2022 to allow managers to receive health insurance at no cost when they retire. Now, the town says management retirees will be treated consistently with other town employees and will pay the same premium contribution they paid while actively employed.
“This is an important first step in restoring transparency, accountability and responsible fiscal management to the Town of Greece,” McCann said in a statement. “It will not be the last.”
“I am proud to have voted in support of this measure to correct excess and restore balance in our benefits structure,” Third Ward Councilmember and Deputy Supervisor Amorette Miller said in a statement. “Thoughtful reform of policies that strain public resources is essential to responsible governance and long-term fiscal stability.”
The town says the amount of compensatory time managers can be paid has also been reduced.
Officials say the changes aim to align with the benefits offered to other town employees and should save an estimated $100,000 annually.