Proposal to Pay Bonuses for Bilingual Skills Loses
The Arcadia City Council unanimously defeated a proposal that would have paid city employees bonuses for bilingual skills, saying 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 that the program is needed because the Police Department is an emergency service.
The proposal would have paid city employees an extra $30 a month if they are fluent in Spanish, Chinese or other languages approved by the city.
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