ThisWeek CW 06/13/2013
Canal Winchester City Council heard the first reading of an ordinance June 3 that would increase annual salaries for the mayor and council members by 3 percent, starting in 2014.
If approved, the mayor’s salary would increase to $85,000 annually beginning Jan. 1, 2014, and then increase again to $87,500 annually Jan. 1, 2015.
The city council president’s salary would increase to $6,700 annually beginning Jan. 1, 2014, and then to $6,900 beginning Jan. 1, 2015.
All other city council members’ salaries would increase to $6,200 annually beginning Jan. 1, 2014, and then to $6,500 annually beginning Jan. 1, 2015.
These figures do not include potential medical, dental, vision and Ohio Public Employees Retirement System benefits for which the mayor and council members are eligible.
A second reading of the ordinance is scheduled at council’s June 17 meeting. A third reading and vote are expected at the July 1 meeting.
Council meetings start at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 10 N. High St.
According to city Finance Director Amanda Jackson, the current annual salary for Mayor Michael Ebert is $82,500; council President Steve Donahue currently earns $6,500 annually and all other council members currently earn $6,000 annually.
“We’re doing this now because we have to file with the county budget committee by the middle of the year, but we can continue to review this and make changes as necessary,” Jackson said.
“The budget will be close to what we budgeted in 2013, making sure more doesn’t go out than goes in for the general fund. We believe staffing will stay similar to where we’re at now.
“We are also budgeted for 3-percent staff raises across the board, but that will vary by person,” she said.
Staff pay increases are set at a maximum of 3 percent but may be less, based on performance reviews, Jackson said.
Recent audits completed for the city by an independent audit firm showed that Canal Winchester continues to do a good job of complying with accounting laws and is fiscally strong, according to Jackson.
“There were no comments to be reported and there were no management letters from the auditors, which means the city is doing everything it should and they’re doing it well,” Jackson said. “If council would like a post-audit conference with the auditors, we can schedule that as well.”