Garnett City Leaders are studying issues brought up last week by a $6,900 Claim made against the City by Commissioner Greg Gwin for payments he says should have been made on his behalf to the Kansas Public Employers Retirement System Payments, he said were never made because he wasn’t informed he was eligible for the benefit. The issue goes back to 2007 when he and other Commissioners voted themselves a raise that gave them enough salary to qualify; however, he says he was not informed he was eligible. He said he didn’t realize it until Commissioner Brecheisen-Huss and Cole revealed they were participating in KPERS and he just wants what he is owed. However, KPERS won’t open an account for him now. City Clerk Travis Davis suggested they open a separate 547B Retirement Plan, instead of giving Gwin a cash payment.
At issue is what type of precedent it could set for past commissioners who may think they are also due the money. Wilson says as many as five past commissioners may have been offered the Retirement Benefit, but application forms for them could not be found. Commissioners agreed to table the discussion pending more investivation.
