Council continues city wage-scale discussion

After multiple discussions and work on city staff wages and salaries for fiscal year 2027, City Administrator Russ Farnum said 99% of the work is done.

To that end, Farnum said the budet now reflects new 3.75% raises for city staff except for the police department’s administrative assistant position, currently held by Madonna Staner.

“She’s at 5%, to bring her up to equity with her position (among her peers) and then 3.75% the following two years after,” Farnum said.

Farnum then addressed the concerns recently raised with ambulance staff pay scales.

“The ambulance had some concerns, because after probation (for new hires), they didn’t have any advancement in their pay scales,” Farnum said. “That was due to a factor that goes back multiple years and multiple contracts where we used to have 15-cent steps in the pay structure except ambulance, who got a $1 raise at the end of probation and then no steps after that. … We did not change that when we went to wage scales three years ago, and I don’t know why.”

Farnum said the pay scale now reflects a new formula.

“Instead of a dollar at the end of probation, I split it between the next two steps. So, its 50 cents each step after probation for the first two steps, then the three years following that, its 55-cent steps that are the same as everyone else,” Farnum added. 

Farnum also noted the city’s longevity pay after discussion started at previous council meetings.

“We do have longevity pay, it was adjusted in 2022, and it used to be a $150 lump sum after ten years, or $300 after 20 years, and that equated to about $14.4 per hour after 20 years,” Farnum said. “Where we have now is a 25-cent per hour bump in your base pay, or $500 for salary employees after ten years, 50 cents after 15 years, 75 cents after 20 years and a dollar after 25 years. So, that is a much bigger benefit than what we used to have, and I don’t think we need to readjust that. I think it’s pretty competitive and gives a good reason for people to stay and work.”

Council discusses raise for city administrator 

Council members considered the possibility of giving Farnum his first pay raise after starting the position. 

Council Member Scott Brighton said a closed session at the March 16 Council meeting sparked the discussion that began at the regular Council meeting last week. 

“I think it’s worth a discussion on Russ’ salary, and you (Russ) haven’t gotten a raise in the two years (since) I’ve been on (the council),” Monticello Mayor Jake Ellwood said.

Farnum said a couple of years ago, he and former mayor Dave Goedken agreed that Farnum would not get a raise until he moved to town.

“I stand by that agreement,” Farnum said. “You guys have been very generous on my timeline, and I appreciate that, so I want to return that favor. I’m not asking for anything until I move here.”

Ellwood and Council Member Ben Duehr each noted the number of things that have been completed since Farnum has been in Monticello.

“I’ve been in this council position for a couple of months, but I can see how attentive he is,” Duehr commented. “I wouldn’t be opposed to giving him a 1.25% for cost of living (raise).”

The Council took no official action on Farnum’s salary and is expected to discuss it further at a future meeting. 

Other council news

• In a presentation to the council, Monticello Main Street Director Brian Wolken, President Quinn Behrends and Board Member Deb Bowman recapped the organization’s past year.

The trio also presented an ongoing project to update wayfinding signage in town. Behrends said some mapping is being done to determine where some of the signs will go and added that some examples of the signs were set outside of the Monticello Renaissance Center for people to get a sneak peek at the possible options.

Wolken said the estimated cost of the project -- $210,000 -- was given to them a year and a half ago by Latitude Signage + Design. Wolken added there is a USDA Rural Business Development grant opening soon. Behrends said the project will be completed in phases.

• At the March 16 regular meeting, the council went into two closed sessions.

In addition to a closed personnel discussion regarding Farnum’s salary, the second closed session covered a property at Fourth and Maple Streets that Police Chief Britt Smith has been working with the owner and the owner of the neighboring property for a possible sale. Brighton said the council gave Smith the go-ahead in the closed session to continue working on the matter.