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Salary an issue with hiring of council member for parks manager position
By Steve Dunn/Gate City Managing Editor
The City of Keokuk has a new parks manager.
Or does it?
On Thursday, the Keokuk City Council disclosed council member Gary Stepp has accepted an offer from City Administrator Odis Jones to become the parks manager at a salary of $45,000.
However, four of the six council members present at the regular council meeting initially said the position should pay less.
Jones said he based his $45,000 offer on the fact that no council members raised objections when he presented that figure during Saturday's budget session.
However, Finance/Personnel Subcommittee chairman Doug Matlick said, “We were looking at $35,000 to $40,000 for the (parks) position, depending on experience.”
Jones presented information showing the parks manager's position pays $42,000 in Waukee, $61,347 in Johnston and $73,384 in Clive.
He also said the hiring process for the Keokuk position was handled appropriately in that the Finance/Personnel Subcommittee gave him the names of three people to interview for the job. After he offered the job to Stepp, he discovered Sanitation Department manager Nate Buckner and Sewer Department manager Carl Lawson Jr. receive less than $45,000 a year, Jones added.
After the council meeting, Jones said Stepp was the best person for the job because of his experience dealing with employees covered by collective bargaining agreements.
When contacted this morning, Stepp said, “I can't make any comments on this yet.”
Stepp is a member of the Finance/Personnel Subcommittee.
Council member Bill Olmsted argued that a good faith offer of $45,000 was made to Stepp and the council should stick with that figure. Jones also said he made the offer in good faith.
However, Matlick reiterated the subcommittee members understood the position would pay $35,000 to $40,000.
The six council members present at the workshop then were polled on what the salary should be for the parks manager. Matlick and council member Justin Tuck supported $38,000; council members Roger Bryant and Mike O'Connor backed $40,000; and Olmsted and council member Scott Nichols sided with $45,000.
When pressed for a figure, Mayor David Gudgel suggested $40,000 to $41,000.
O'Connor then raised the possibility of the appearance of cronyism if Stepp was hired at a salary that other more experienced people are receiving in Keokuk city government.
Matlick then recommended postponing the hiring of a parks manager.
“Believe it or not, this is the first time I'm speechless,” Gudgel responded.
Tuck, Bryant, Matlick and O'Connor then said they'd support a salary of about $40,000 for the parks manager.
The issue with Stepp also prompted council members to consider raising Buckner's and Lawson's salaries to $45,000. Jones also pointed out the No. 2 man in the police department, Administrative Capt. Dave Hinton, makes less than the No. 2 man in the fire department.
“It shouldn't be that way,” Jones said.
Garbage containers
The council also discussed whether to buy 95- or 65-gallon containers for the city's new automated garbage collection program. At present, citizens can have two 35-gallon containers with purchasing stickers for additional containers.
Jones said the decision on the size of containers had to be made quickly since the prices are set to increase today.
Having the 95-gallon containers would save on workman's compensation claims and allow the city to switch to four 10-hour days for garbage collection, Matlick commented.
During the regular meeting, the council took additional action to authorize a loan agreement of up to $765,000 for the purchase of the containers and two new fully-automated garbage trucks.
The council also increased sanitation fees in order to help pay off the revenue notes for the new garbage collection system. Starting with the March billing, dwelling units will be charged $17 per month. The monthly rate will be $14 for any occupant who is 65 or older; any occupant or spouse under the age of 65 if they have no source of income other than Social Security; and any property owner whose property is more than 150 feet from the nearest city right-of-way if they decide to stop the city garbage collection service.
Stepp and council members Susan Dunek and Mike Baum did not attend Thursday's workshop and council meeting.
In other business, the council:
Approved the second reading of an ordinance establishing the position of director of public works and engineering. The new position has been posted, according to Jones.
Acknowledged the purchase of two Ford F-350 cab and chasis costing a total of $57,030 for the sanitation and sewer departments. The equipment is coming from Gem City Ford Lincoln Mercury and Knapheide Equipment in Quincy, Ill.
Renewed a Class C beer permit with Sunday sales for Beck's.
Or does it?
On Thursday, the Keokuk City Council disclosed council member Gary Stepp has accepted an offer from City Administrator Odis Jones to become the parks manager at a salary of $45,000.
However, four of the six council members present at the regular council meeting initially said the position should pay less.
Jones said he based his $45,000 offer on the fact that no council members raised objections when he presented that figure during Saturday's budget session.
However, Finance/Personnel Subcommittee chairman Doug Matlick said, “We were looking at $35,000 to $40,000 for the (parks) position, depending on experience.”
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He also said the hiring process for the Keokuk position was handled appropriately in that the Finance/Personnel Subcommittee gave him the names of three people to interview for the job. After he offered the job to Stepp, he discovered Sanitation Department manager Nate Buckner and Sewer Department manager Carl Lawson Jr. receive less than $45,000 a year, Jones added.
After the council meeting, Jones said Stepp was the best person for the job because of his experience dealing with employees covered by collective bargaining agreements.
When contacted this morning, Stepp said, “I can't make any comments on this yet.”
Stepp is a member of the Finance/Personnel Subcommittee.
Council member Bill Olmsted argued that a good faith offer of $45,000 was made to Stepp and the council should stick with that figure. Jones also said he made the offer in good faith.
However, Matlick reiterated the subcommittee members understood the position would pay $35,000 to $40,000.
The six council members present at the workshop then were polled on what the salary should be for the parks manager. Matlick and council member Justin Tuck supported $38,000; council members Roger Bryant and Mike O'Connor backed $40,000; and Olmsted and council member Scott Nichols sided with $45,000.
When pressed for a figure, Mayor David Gudgel suggested $40,000 to $41,000.
O'Connor then raised the possibility of the appearance of cronyism if Stepp was hired at a salary that other more experienced people are receiving in Keokuk city government.
Matlick then recommended postponing the hiring of a parks manager.
“Believe it or not, this is the first time I'm speechless,” Gudgel responded.
Tuck, Bryant, Matlick and O'Connor then said they'd support a salary of about $40,000 for the parks manager.
The issue with Stepp also prompted council members to consider raising Buckner's and Lawson's salaries to $45,000. Jones also pointed out the No. 2 man in the police department, Administrative Capt. Dave Hinton, makes less than the No. 2 man in the fire department.
“It shouldn't be that way,” Jones said.
Garbage containers
The council also discussed whether to buy 95- or 65-gallon containers for the city's new automated garbage collection program. At present, citizens can have two 35-gallon containers with purchasing stickers for additional containers.
Jones said the decision on the size of containers had to be made quickly since the prices are set to increase today.
Having the 95-gallon containers would save on workman's compensation claims and allow the city to switch to four 10-hour days for garbage collection, Matlick commented.
During the regular meeting, the council took additional action to authorize a loan agreement of up to $765,000 for the purchase of the containers and two new fully-automated garbage trucks.
The council also increased sanitation fees in order to help pay off the revenue notes for the new garbage collection system. Starting with the March billing, dwelling units will be charged $17 per month. The monthly rate will be $14 for any occupant who is 65 or older; any occupant or spouse under the age of 65 if they have no source of income other than Social Security; and any property owner whose property is more than 150 feet from the nearest city right-of-way if they decide to stop the city garbage collection service.
Stepp and council members Susan Dunek and Mike Baum did not attend Thursday's workshop and council meeting.
In other business, the council:
Approved the second reading of an ordinance establishing the position of director of public works and engineering. The new position has been posted, according to Jones.
Acknowledged the purchase of two Ford F-350 cab and chasis costing a total of $57,030 for the sanitation and sewer departments. The equipment is coming from Gem City Ford Lincoln Mercury and Knapheide Equipment in Quincy, Ill.
Renewed a Class C beer permit with Sunday sales for Beck's.
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