Mayor proposes 1% salary increase and 1% merit bonus; council weighs restoring ski-pass perk

City Administrator Femling said the administration budget includes a salary increase tied to the addition of the City Administrator post and that, unlike past practice, merit increases were moved from a pooled line into department budgets. "Femling pointed out that in previous budgets the merit increases were lumped together for all departments which was incorrect, and they have been moved to the appropriate department budget," the packet notes.

Mayor Hendricks suggested allocating a 1% salary increase plus a 1% merit bonus to be distributed by department heads. Council President Michelle Griffith and Council Member Jane Conard offered differing views on the size of increases; Femling estimated the total fiscal impact across departments at about $60,000. The council also discussed restoring a $3,000 ski-pass line for staff perks and reducing the holiday-party budget.