Council sets 202617 wage resolution; member requests 10% raise for city clerk as succession step

The Perry City Council approved a salary resolution establishing pay for employees for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, that incorporates negotiated 5% increases for union contracts and inflationary adjustments for other positions.

During discussion a councilmember requested that City Clerk Hicks receive a 10% increase instead of the 5% granted to department heads, citing succession planning: the requester said Hicks has taken on additional duties (software transition, benefits renewal, payroll tasks) and needs compensation to better align with responsibilities ahead of the clerk's planned retirement in two to three years. The councilmember estimated the additional 10% would cost about $4,200 over the budgeted amount, with $2,100 from the general fund and the remainder split between road use tax and sewer funds.

Council directed the personnel committee to evaluate the formal request and develop a recommendation for implementation; no immediate exception to the wage schedule was declared without committee review. Council members otherwise approved the wage resolution with the stated 5% increases for departmental staff and varying adjustments for part-time employees.