Council to decide on revised pay raises

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

If Wednesday’s special meeting was any indication, it appears members of Van Wert City Council will see an increase in pay, effective in January of 2024.

During the “Council of the Whole” meeting, council members seemed to be in agreement with new salaries of $5,500 annually and $6,100 for the council president, which is $600 more than the current salaries, but less than the previously approved salaries of $6,100 and $6,700. Those salaries were vetoed last month by Mayor Ken Markward, who also recommended a pay decrease.

Council members scheduled the special meeting to discuss the veto and possible next steps. Fourth Ward Councilman Andrew Davis and Law Director John Hatcher outlined the possible courses of action by council:

• Override the mayor’s veto, with at least five votes needed to do that.
• Accept the mayor’s recommendation to lower salaries to $3,000 for council members and $3,500 for the council president.
• Introduce and vote on a new piece of legislation, preferably before the early voting period begins for the November 7 general election.
• Do nothing and maintain the current rate of pay of $4,900 for ward and at-large members, and $5,500 for the council president.

Second Ward Councilman David Stinnett, who isn’t seeking re-election and has been a vocal opponent of the higher raises, said if council attempts to override the veto of $6,100 salaries, he would vote no, but said he would be comfortable with $5,500 salaries.

Third Ward Councilwoman Julie Moore said the revised figure of $5,500 seems reasonable to her.

“There’s value in what we do and give and if we if we want someone to step up in the next term we have to be able to show them that you will be somewhat compensated for the time and effort and stuff,” Moore said.

Davis, along with At-Large Council members Judy Bowers, Jeff Kallas and Bill Marshall also agreed with $5,500 salaries. First Ward Councilman Jeff Agler, a supporter of $6,100 salaries, was absent from the meeting.

There was concern that the revised salaries could be vetoed again by Markward. The mayor was not present at the meeting, but he later said the situation is currently too hypothetical to make such a decision.

“At the very least I will wait to see what actually gets voted on,” he stated.

New legislation with the revised salaries is expected to be introduced at Monday night’s regularly scheduled meeting and could be approved that night or during council’s September 25 meeting.