Early last month, Mayor Michael Nutter called on City Council to end the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP). He cited a study that found it cost the city $258 million since its 1999 inception with promises of being cost-neutral.
The rest of the month brought a slew of city employees signing up in case the program is eliminated, increased union lobbying and Council President Anna Verna hiring someone to study the study.
At yesterday’s meeting, Councilwoman Marian Tasco introduced a bill — in her role as majority leader and as a courtesy to Nutter — that was immediately referred to committee. It also left Verna surrounded by reporters after the 65-minute meeting ended.
“It’s not as simple as [the mayor] says it is,” a seemingly agitated Verna said. “We’re going to get all the information. If this went to federal court, our hands would be tied.”
Asked if she thinks the Boston College study based its findings on faulty assumptions, Verna responded, “That very well may be the case. … Council does not have the experience to be dealing with these financial issues.”
They’re also waiting on a review from the City Controller’s Office.
