A 2-2 tie vote last week resulted in the Ceres City Council’s denial of a staff request to use $10,180 in ARPA funds to honor longtime or retiring employees.

Delilah Vasquez, the city’s director of Human Resources, recommended the appropriations to support the establishment of a service and retirement award program for city employees for three years.

“Recognition programs are essential to openly acknowledge city employees who reach significant milestones in city service and recognize retiring employees who have displayed years of dedicated service,” said Vasquez. She said recognition programs are used to express appreciation, motivate employees, and reinforce desired behavior. Her idea was to purchase lapel pins, award certificates, and frames for five, 10, and 15 years of service and plaques in recognition of 20+ years of dedicated service. Councilwoman Rosalinda Vierra pulled the item from the consent agenda, expressing concerns about the action.

“It’s not that I don’t feel the employees don’t deserve it … however, I do think there are some higher priorities, such as some of our potholes, our sidewalks … traffic has been coming up in our city,” said Vierra. She also mentioned the Whitmore Mansion and the possible restoration of the historic water tower.

“That’s come up a couple times. I don’t know how much was raised, what the difference is between the actual estimate was for quotes and if this amount is even something that could bridge the gap,” she added. “I just think when we’re in tough times and we’re having to do a lot of cuts and restrictions, I think we just need to make sure we’re making wise decisions with the money allocations that we have left, which I believe this is all we have left.”

Vasquez replied: “I recognize that there are a lot of competing priorities but I do believe that the employees dedicated in service that we should be able to recognize (when) they put in 20 years of services, 25 years of dedicated service and being able to give them a plaque is not a whole lot but it’s something to show our appreciation for their commitment and service.”

Councilman James Casey said recognizing employees is important but thinks funding for such a program should be budgeted and not come from one-time special funds.

When the matter came to a vote, Vierra and Casey voted no, cancelling out the yes votes of Mayor Javier Lopez and Councilman Daniel Martinez. Vice Bret Silveira was absent.