Despite evaluations, everyone gets same pay increases
Managing editor
In a somewhat confusing exchange between Marion City Council and city officials Monday evening, the council decided to approve a three percent pay increase for all full-time city employees.
The discussion began when Mayor Mary Olson asked Public Works Director Harvey Sanders if any of his employees complained about not receiving a three percent merit raise. She asked if there was any recourse an employee could take if he or she disagreed with the evaluation. City Administrator David Mayfield said he reviewed all of the completed evaluations and all employees signed them in agreement.
Full-time city employees were evaluated through a traditional process which rates the employee’s performance. The final score then determined the percentage of pay raise, if any, an employee was entitled to received up to three percent which was budgeted.
Councilman Steve Smith said he was confused because he believed at the last meeting when the council discussed pay raises, all full-time employees would receive a three percent pay increase.
Mayfield said no, the council had determined department heads would conduct the evaluations and merit raises would be given.
“I’m not sure if it’s fair for other employees to be rated differently than the council had determined to evaluate the city administrator,” Smith said.
continued from page 1
Olson said she was aware of one employee who did not receive a three percent pay increase when she thought he should. Mayfield then cautioned Olson to be careful of what she said.
“If the council wants to talk about an evaluation of a certain employee, the employee needs to be here present and the council should go into executive session,” he said.
With that said, councilman Bill Holdeman made a motion to give all full-time employees a three percent pay increase. Mayfield said it would not include Marion City Library personnel because the library was a separate entity. He explained the library’s budget is set through a mill levy and a board oversees that department.
Olson asked if the museum director would be included. Mayfield said she was a contract employee, the same as the attorney.
The motion was seconded and carried 4-1 with Smith voting against.