This time Mayor Roy White did not attempt to veto the change. A similar motion was approved at the board's Feb. 12 meeting but White vetoed the proposal at that time, saying it would create a burden on the city. City Attorney Darryl Hicks, however, later advised the board he had researched the issue and did not believe White had the authority to veto the motion. So Board President Jim Schuchmann, who had suggested the policy change initially, had the issue placed on the agenda again for the Feb. 26 board meeting. "Mr. Mayor, I don't follow your logic on not wanting to extend the time period for allowing employees to use comp time," said Schuchmann. White referred to a January report which indicated city employees had a total of about 260 comp time hours owed them from the last quarter of 2008, including 151 hours for the police department. "I don't see where there's that much comp time due," White said. "This sheet still shows time owed to employees who aren't even with the city anymore, so we can't pay off that." White also said he would like time to compile a more current list of the comp time hours due each employee. Under current city policy, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2007, city employees who carry comp time over from the fourth quarter of the previous year must use those hours in the first quarter of the following year, by March 31, 2009, in this case. Schuchmann proposed allowing employees to have until the end of the third quarter of 2009, or until Sept. 30, to use that comp time. "It's the end of February now," said Schuchmann. "If we force people to use that time by the end of March, we will be seriously shorthanded at city hall and could be forced to hire additional outside help. That could put us in a very hazardous situation. "I have confidence the figures I have are correct," said Schuchmann, "so with that I'll make the motion to extend the time frame for comp time use." Ward 2 Alderman Richard Denkler seconded the motion. It was approved by a unanimous 4-0 vote. "We need to go more time," said Denkler. "As aldermen and as the mayor, I think we need to be flexible. We don't want to back them (city employees) into a corner." White questioned the total of roughly 68 hours of comp time due Lt. John Malcolm of the city's police department. "Can you get me the latest figures?" he asked Police Chief Henry Matthews. Schuchmann said he was sure the figure for Malcolm was correct. "Are you telling me you're willing to tell this officer to stay home for roughly eight days in March?" Schuchmann said to White. "The police department cannot control the time it accrues," Denkler said. "Officer Malcolm has put in extended hours and has done a very good job for the city. I think we need to flow with it." Denkler said he felt all city employees were doing an excellent job of helping each other out with regard to job duties. "Everyone is crossing jurisdictions out of necessity," Denkler observed. "No one wants to see a lot of time build up, but there are times when it can't be avoided. "In the case of the police department," Denkler added, "they have no control over when they have to work extra hours."