BILOXI — — The Biloxi City Council has cut longevity pay from $15 to $10 per month served for all employees but voted against other reductions in benefits. Longevity pay was capped at 20 years.

Council president Bill Stallworth tells The Sun Herald that those who have worked for the city for more than 20 years are frozen at the current rate.

Stallworth said on Tuesday these changes will control the cost of the program and are less painful to the employees he talked to than other proposals to save money by reducing pay or benefits.

The council left in place the 100 percent tuition reimbursement for city employees who earn a "C” grade or better while attending college or taking online classes.