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PPB 11 17 22

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November 17, 2022 Vol. 21, No. 52 Serving Manitou Springs, Old Colorado City and Lower Ute Pass

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Council approves COLA increase, merit pay boost for city staffers By William J. Dagendesh Manitou Springs City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 15, voted 6-1 to approve the 2023 budget, adding a 3 percent cost of living adjustment for city staff and a 5 percent budgeted merit pay increase. Councilor Julie Wolfe dissented. Merit pay, known as pay-for-performance, is based on a set of criteria set by the employer. The employer usually conducts a review meeting with the employee to discuss their work performance during a particular time period. The vote was the result of the first reading of Ordinance No. 2222, which adopts the annual budget and appropriates funds for fiscal year 2023, and amends the annual budget for fiscal year 2022. City staff compensation, the Cog Railway agreement and the local Holiday Inn figured in the discussion. Per the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, local governments levying property tax must adopt their budgets before certifying the mill levy to the county, according to Finance See COUNCIL/page 3

Send-off to state

Photo by Rhonda Van Pelt

The Manitou Springs High School volleyball players and coaches pause for photos before heading to the 3A State Championships on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Standing, from left: assistant coach Kimmie Beach, Sierra Dunlap, Maria Perez, Hannah Ruger, Grace Allen, Teryn Thime, Lily Glass, Ayla Flett, head coach Crissy Leonhardt and assistant coach Gabby Santos. Front, from left: Morgan Flannery, Chloe Arnoldusson, Cassidy Blechman, Hannah Mellinkoff, McKesson Rhodes and Norah Jorstad.

Read more about Manitou volleyball’s first trip to state since 2015 on page 10.

County Public Health Department monitoring variety of illnesses Respiratory syncytial virus is on the increase locally and throughout Colorado, according to the El Paso County Public Health Department. RSV spreads through inhaling or coming into contact with droplets (through mouth, nose or eyes) from an infected person talking, coughing and sneezing. Most people who catch RSV experience mild symptoms, but it may be more severe in vulnerable people such as infants, young children and older

adults. Symptoms can include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, fever, decreased appetite and difficulty breathing or wheezing. The health department is working with schools and child care providers to share information on how to reduce the spread of RSV and other illnesses. Information: www.elpasocountyhealth.org/ rsv-respiratory-syncytial-virus. The department is also watching influenza

trends in the county. Its Immunization Clinic has flu vaccines; to make an appointment or ask about costs, call 719-578-3199. To locate vaccination providers, contact the Pikes Peak United Way’s Referral Hotline at 2-1-1. COVID-19 tests are still available at The Citadel mall, 750 Citadel Drive East, but the vaccination drive-thru has closed. Find a useful graphic to compare symptoms at www.elpasocountyhealth.org/newsroom.

INSIDE HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS CALENDAR............................PAGE 7 CITY PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS...............................PAGE 8 WINTER SPORTS PREVIEWS............................. PAGES 10, 11


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