The Vinton City Council's General Government Committee will meet next Thursday, Sept. 16, to discuss an issue that has raised some controversy.

Vinton Parks and Recreation Director Duane Randall has lived in a city-owned house at no expense since moving to Vinton to lead the VPRD. But now Randall and the VPRD Board of Directors have agreed to a change in the policy. Randall will move into a private residence. The VPRD Board agreed that in exchange for that benefit, it will pay Randall $1,050 per month, or $12,600 per year.

"We arrived at that amount based on utilities and what we could get for rent from that house," said VPRD Board member Jeff Peterson. Peterson said VPRD Board members spoke with Mayor John Watson about the amount before settling on that $12,600.

Peterson said Vinton is one of very few cities that still provide city-owned housing for some employees. He said that the change is being made with a look toward the future, when Randall retires and a new director takes his place. The new director, said Peterson would probably prefer to have his or her own house instead of living in a city-owned home.

But some residents have been complaining that the change constitutes a "pay raise" for Randall.

"The public needs more information," said resident Mark Christy, who suggested that the money paid to Randall in lieu of housing would come at the expense of after-school programs or other programs for children.

The council briefly discussed the issue before arriving at the consensus that its policy dictates that its committee should review it before the full council discusses it.

That committee will meet at 7:15 Thursday, Sept. 16, in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting, as all council and committee meetings, are open to the public.