HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/14/91CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
October 14, 1991
6:05 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor McKinley, Brown, Budak, Buck, Dell, Fox, Angel
and Wright.
The Agenda, as proposed, was approved.
The Mayor announced that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss
Mayor and Council salaries beginning January 1, 1992. Larry P.
Burger, Clerk/Auditor, stated that the State Code of Iowa requires an
Ordinance fixing the compensation of council members and mayor to be
completed prior to the November election every two years. (Action on
this item was delayed from the Council meeting of October 7, 1991 to
allow additional scenarios to be discussed).
Mr. Burger stated that the initial salary proposal for January 1,
1992, in the amount of $45,600 reflected a 4.8 percent increase. The
January 1, 1993, proposed salary was $47,800. The council's salary
would be 10 percent of the mayor's salary, or $4,560 on January 1,
1992, and $4,780 on January 1, 1993.
At the request of Councilperson Fox, Mr. Burger distributed a salary
survey conducted by the Waterloo Courier concerning other public
agencies including the University of Northern Iowa, Hawkeye Tech,
Waterloo Schools, Cedar Falls Schools, Area Education Agency 7, Black
Hawk County, City of Waterloo, and City of Cedar Falls.
Councilperson Fox thanked the Council for allowing additional review
of the salary issue. He stated that it is a very important issue and
that a salary commensurate with the duties and responsibilities should
be considered. The recent defeat of the city manager referendum
points to the need for a professional, business -like, expert in the
position of mayor. The mayor directs 16 departments with 600
employees and an annual budget of $60 million. The City must make
every effort to make it an attractive position and not exclude young
people from running.
Councilperson Angel stated that she was only willing to address the
salary issue for the next two years. Councilperson Wright asked
whether the 4.8 percent increase was consistent with the plan
presented two years ago and was assured that this plan was similar.
Councilperson Dell questioned raising salaries in the middle of the
recession and in the middle of a budget year. Councilperson Budak
stated that he was against any raise particularly since the budget has
been adopted. Mr. Burger stated that money had been set aside for a
mayor/council increase commensurate with the non -bargaining employee
increases. Councilperson Buck suggested the possibility of freezing
the city council members' salaries and giving this added amount to the
mayor. Councilpersons Brown and Angel stated that they could support
the original salary proposal.
Mayor McKinley stated that he was in agreement with the original
proposal and recommended that the Council proceed as originally
proposed. It was noted that city council members do not seek
reimbursement for in town mileage or expenses but do receive
reimbursement for out of town expenses.
No official action was taken by the City Council but a consensus of
opinion was that the original proposal of a 4.8 percent increase for
the Mayor on January 1, 1992, and January 1, 1993 with City Council
receiving 10 percent of these amounts be recommended to the full
council for approval.
With no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned
at 6:35 p.m.
Larry P. Burger
City Clerk/Auditor