A discussion of town employee salary increases was initiated at last Tuesday’s Crothersville town council meeting but then the matter was tabled to give the council more time to review the matter.
Salaries for 2024 need to be determined soon for the town to include the proposed increases in the budget which needs to be submitted to the state.
This year, non-law enforcement employees received a 5% increase, according to council vice-president Terry Richey. “I am going to suggest 6% for 2024 to begin this discussion,” she said.
Councilman Jamy Greathouse said the federal Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2024 is 8.7%.
“We have a confidence level in our employees and want to make it on par with the economy,” he said. “We need to make it 6.7% to stay even so I’m going to suggest a 7% salary increase.”
The council initially agreed to seek a 7% non-law enforcement salary increase for town workers.
In turning their salary discussion to local law enforcement, clerk-treasurer Danieta Foster said that Chief of Police Matt Browning wanted a $3 per hour raise for all officers which would amount to a $6,552 increase next year for each officer, said Foster.
Greathouse said that law enforcement salaries for Indiana communities similar in size to Crothersville “are all over the map”.
“Some smaller communities with higher tax rates pay more than we do; some larger communities pay less,” said Greathouse. “The problem is our tax rate is low and can’t sustain salary increases to allow us to remain competitive.”
The council opted to table definitive discussion on police salaries until their September meeting.
In spending requests, the council approved a proposal of $3,500 from Albertson Excavating to repair a storm drain at the intersection of Seymour Road & Cindy Lane. It was noted that the town had sought proposals from five different companies but Albertson was the only one to submit a cost estimate.
The council approved spending $575 to replace a catalytic converter in one of the town utility trucks.
That approval prompted a discussion by Greathouse on changing the town’s spending thresholds policy. Currently expenditures over $500 must be approved by the town council.
“Prices of everything have gone up and our spending policy needs to as well,” said Greathouse. He suggested that department managers be allowed to spend up to $1,000 for repairs and replacements needed in their department. He added that expenditures over $1,000 up to $2,500 would require the approval of the clerk-treasurer and any expenditure over $2,500 would still require the town council’s approval.
The policy change was tabled until town attorney Matt Lorenzo could review the matter and write an ordinance to make it effective.
Local businessman Kyle McIntosh told the council that he has been appointed as the town
and township’s representative to Leadership Jackson County. The tuition for membership is $1,200, half of which is paid by the Lilly Foundation, he said. “The rest I am in the process of raising,” he said.
“This is a great thing for our community and we value your contributions that benefit the community,” said Greathouse.
Councilman Chad Wilson agreed that having a Crothersville representative on the county-wide organization “Is a wonderful idea”. He suggested that the town pay the balance of the tuition to sponsor McIntosh’s participation. The funding proposal passed unanimously.
Jason Bukowski of Shepherd Insurance informed that council that their insurance policy would increase from $50,847 to $51,895 per year. “Considering the increases in nearly all costs and that the town added a new police station on Armstrong Street to the policy, we believe this is a modest increase for increased protection,” Bukowski said.
The council agreed, unanimously approving renewing the coverage.