http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-963408.mp3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City's outgoing city council went on record yesterday as wanting to leave a legacy of fiscal responsibility when it comes to retirement plans.
The change in pension plans the council enacted will only affect new elected officials and municipal judges, and will only save about 45,000 dollars next year. But returning council member Jan Marcason says it's a step in a needed direction.
Marcason says it sends a message to the public that the council wants to endorse financial responsibility. "Our pension benefits are not sustainable," she explained, "and we need to start looking at the structure."
The new "defined contribution" type plan effectively halves the city's annual contribution to the retirement funds of judges and elected officials. The change has no effect on rank and file city employees, but some say those plans will have to move in the new direction.