MOUNT VERNON — The typical raise for city employees has been 3 percent for the past several years. 2023 was no exception.
On Monday, city council members gave the city’s elected officials the same increase.
The city auditor and law director make $74,707 and $111,320, respectively. The ordinance proposed increasing their compensation to $80,000 (7%) and $117,000 (5%).
City council approved a 3 percent raise for each, raising their compensation to $76,948.21 and $114,659.60 for 2024. Salaries will rise to about $84,083 and $125,291 by 2027.
The mayor currently draws a salary of $74,875. The ordinance proposed increasing that to $85,000 (13.5%).
When Mayor Matt Starr took office in 2020, council members reduced his salary by about $1,500 compared to what former Mayor Richard Mavis made. The thought was that Mavis had experience and longevity after a 24-year stint as mayor.
On Monday, council members reinstated the $1,500 and added a 3 percent increase. That brings Starr’s 2024 salary to $78,664. His salary will increase to just under $86,000 by 2027.
Council members also approved a 1.75 percent increase for council positions, raising the 2024 salary to $9,379. The 1.75 is the minimum raise needed to keep council members eligible for the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System.
The reasons why
Resident Joshua Morrison spoke about the proposed pay increases at council’s Sept. 25 meeting. He asked how the proposed salaries came about.
He also suggested creating a wage commission or committee to recommend elected officials’ salaries.
Morrison said such a commission would remove the self-interest of setting pay and provide more transparency.
On Monday, Council member Amber Keener said she liked that idea.
“I think it does not give clear transparency for elected officials to determine elected officials’ salaries,” she said. “We have boards and commissions for lots of different things. I don’t see why in the future this couldn’t be something we’d consider.”
Regarding how the proposed salaries came about, Starr said the city does compensation analyses for every office.
“Elected offices need to receive that same consideration,” he said.
Referencing Councilwoman Janis Seavolt’s previous comment that it is hard to find young people to run for office, Starr said that a part of that is compensation.
“The $85,000 was not just pulled out of the air,” he said. “There was a lot of thought and mathematics that went into that ask.”
He also noted that elected officials are becoming increasingly busier with a variety of issues, and the city budget increased from $40 million four years ago to over $60 million. All of which requires more oversight.
“I will take what you decide,” Starr said. “I just wanted you to know the reasons why.”
Law Director Rob Broeren reminded council of the increases in the consumer price index since 2020 (4.9%, 8.5%, and 3.2%).
“All those times, the various groups received 3 percent raises, so that we’ve effectively eroded the wages significantly by only staying at 3 percent. Part of the initial request was because of that,” he said.
Difficult conversations
Council member Tammy Woods said it was difficult for council to support such large raises when other city employees received 3 percent increases.
“I really appreciate the suggestion of some sort of committee in the future to do this,” she said. “These conversations are difficult. But there were lots of conversations.
“I don’t think we’re sitting up here not recognizing your work,” she added. “But when the community speaks, and we’re looking out for their dollars …”
Councilman Mike Hillier said that in several employee conversations, the employees said, “remember the raises you’re giving when you come back to the table.”
“A lot of the work that you’re getting done can’t be done without the employees of the city,” he said. “If we truly have the money, maybe we need to look at the people doing the work out on the streets.”
Council amended the ordinance to reflect the new numbers and adopted the ordinance by a 6 to 1 vote. Keener voted no.
SSD salary
Also relating to compensation, council members approved distributing the safety-service director’s salary between four non-elected employees while the SSD position remains vacant.
Human Resources Director Denise Neff, Public Works Director Tom Hinkle, City Engineer Brian Ball, and Development Services Manager Lacie Blankenhorn are among those picking up extra duties while the city is without an SSD.
The four will receive $500 each pay period.
Starr, Broeren, and Auditor Terry Scott are also picking up extra duties, but they will not receive extra compensation.
Former SSD Richard Dzik left Sept. 5 to take a position in Huber Heights.
At the end of Monday’s council meeting, Starr announced the city hired Knox County Recorder Tanner Salyers as the new SSD. He starts on Monday.
