Arcadia : Bilingual Bonuses Rejected
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The City Council unanimously defeated a proposal that would have paid city employees bonuses for bilingual skills.
City staff on Tuesday presented the resolution, which the council rejected on grounds that taxpayers’ money should not be used as compensation for translation skills.
“We conduct business in English, and if someone needs an interpreter, the person should bring one,” Councilman Robert C. Harbicht said.
An Arcadia Police Relief Assn. program pays uniformed bilingual officers an extra $100 a month. Harbicht said the program is needed because the Police Department is an emergency service.
The defeated proposal would have paid city employees an extra $30 a month if they are fluent in Spanish, Chinese or any other languages approved by the city.
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