Nick McWilliams reporting – Proposed pay increases for non-bargaining employees remains a point of contention for New Philadelphia city council.
Those raises would be for seven-percent every year over the next three years, which would end up costing the city over $630,000 more than the current pay scales.
Council remains mostly divided down the middle on the subject, with Councilman Kelly Ricklic offering staunch opposition after missing the last three meetings.
“I’m not against [increased] wages. But I am against a three-year, 21-percent increase for anybody. What I would rather see is my colleagues vote this down tonight, and spend more time with the mayor to come up with [a way] of however he wants to evaluate these individuals to make the increases with justice to their performance.”
Supporters of the salary changes like Aimee May and Dean Holland said in previous meetings that the city is too far behind the private sector and other municipalities in terms of pay, and they run the risk of losing more employees.
Councilman Steve Rippeth has also voiced support of the idea, but said that he is open to a shorter, less drastic increase that can be revisited later.
“We have to remain competitive with other cities to maintain the great employees we have. But, I find myself concerning with Mr. [Mitch] Pace, that I like the idea of a one-year proposal to be reviewed by the three new members of council who are pretty much going to be held to what we decide to do here.”
Three new council members will be elected in November for at-large seats.
The measure related to salary increases ultimately was voted down, with May, Holland, and Councilman Dan Lanzer voting yes, and no votes from Ricklic, Pace, Rippeth, and Councilwoman Cheryl Ramos.
Future proposals on non-bargaining salaries are likely.
Copyright WTUZ Radio Inc., 2023