Council approves salary increases for non-union employees

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City Council approved a 2.25% salary increase for most non-bargaining unit employees for fiscal year 2022 at Monday’s meeting, with larger boosts granted to police officers and a few other selected employees.

Historically, the council has given non-union employees the same raise as what has been negotiated with union employees. This year, the city negotiated a union contract at 2.25%, with Police Department employees receiving an additional 1%.

Police Chief Hugh Anderson, Captain Brandon Franke and other police commanders received a 3.25% salary increase.

“Last year we did a little bump for our command staff, because they weren’t always increasing at the same rate as the patrol officers were,” said Charles City Administrator Steve Diers. “We’re keeping pace with that this year.

The increase will bring Anderson’s base salary to $89,569.10, while Franke will earn $69,517.81.

Due to the fact that the city is having a difficult time finding part-time transit drivers, Diers recommended an 8% increase to their hourly wage, raising it from $14.82 to $16. Theresa Sargeant, transit’s only full-time employee, had her wage increased to $17 per hour.

“That gets us closer to some of our competitors, such as the school district, and hopefully it will help us when it comes to recruiting drivers,” Diers said. The council approved his recommendation.

Charles City Engineer John Fallis received a 4.75% increase on top of the 2.25% boost, which increased his annual base salary by $5182, to $79,219.45.

“It’s been a while since we’ve done anything for John. I think he does a fantastic job,” Diers told the council. “We’re very fortunate to have John, and I think that this increase reflects the work he does.”

Council member Jerry Joerger called the increase for Fallis “legit.”

“John is a very important part of our management team,” Joerger said. “Even though that increase seems a little high, percentage-wise, I think the salary numbers are fitting.”

Council member Phoebe Pittman agreed.

“I think it’s fortunate that we’re in a position where when we have good people we can compensate them,” Pittman said. “It’s good to keep good people.”

In other action on Monday, the council:
• Approved an amended TIF rebate agreement with Zoetis for its 2017 expansion project, due to the project construction period extending longer than anticipated. The TIF rebate for this project needs to be pushed back one fiscal year, so instead of rebates starting in fiscal year 2021 they will now start in fiscal year 2022. The project includes $1,850,000 in total TIF rebates over eight years.
• Approved a resolution setting July 6 as the date of a public hearing regarding the approval of a development agreement with Charles City Area Development Corporation (CCADC). The three-year funding agreement between the city of Charles City and (CCADC) is due to end after FY22. The updated development agreement includes funding towards their annual operation. CCADC is requesting funding of $46,000 per year for three years, for a three-year total of $138,000. The current agreement is for $42,000 per year for three years.
• Approved a resolution setting July 6 as the date of a public hearing regarding a development agreement with Main Street Charles City. This is proposed economic support development agreement for renewing the operational funding agreement with Main Street Charles City, formerly known as Charles City Community Revitalization, and which also includes funding to both the Downtown Façade Improvement Program and Culture and Entertainment District Improvement Program, both of which are facilitated through the organization. This proposed agreement is for three years and includes total funding of $255,000.
• Held public hearings and, having received no further public input, approved urban renewal plans for the South Grand, Riverside and Southwest Bypass urban renewal areas. Three-year funding for South Grand totals $151,250, Riverside totals $296,250 and Southwest Bypass totals $662,000.
• Approved a resolution setting July 6 as the date of a public hearing regarding a development agreement with Mike Molstead Motors Inc, including annual appropriation tax increment (TIF) payments.