Warren council seeks 1st pay hike for elected officials in 15 years

Warren police chief, fire chief, 7 city employees earn more than mayor

WARREN -- Some city officials may get raises for the first time in about 15 years in 2024 if council votes to approve legislation that increases the salaries of the mayor, city auditor, law director and members of city council.

The treasurer's increase would take place in 2026 after the November 2025 election.

If passed, increases will affect those serving in these positions after the current terms are completed.

Elected officials cannot vote on in-term wage increases.

The majority of these positions are being voted on during November's general election.

Mayor Doug Franklin, who earns $87,796 per year, would see his salary increased. Franklin is running unopposed for re-election.

He defeated Councilman Ken MacPherson, D-at Large, during May's Democratic primary, earning 60 percent of the vote compared to MacPherson's 40. A potential independent run by outgoing Councilwoman Cheryl Saffold ended when the board of elections ruled the councilwoman failed to separate herself from the Democratic party enough to run as an independent candidate in November.

Council Finance Chairman Greg Greathouse, D-3rd Ward, said discussions about providing pay raises to elected officials began several months ago when city Auditor Vince Flask and Law Director Enzo Cantalamessa looked to find ways to provide wage increases to their assistants. The assistants' salaries are a percentage of what the elected officials earn.

"We then started looking at everyone," Greathouse said. "No elected official has received an increase since 2008."

Council members are expected to discuss the pay legislation during Wednesday's finance committee meeting. The legislation is expected to be placed in first reading at the council meeting, which will follow, according to Greathouse.

PROPOSED LEGISLATION

Under the proposed legislation, the mayor's salary must be 1 percent higher than the base salary of the highest-paid, wage-earning employee in the city. At no time will the mayor's salary be lower than 1 percent above the base pay of the city's highest paid official.

Police Chief Eric Merkel and fire Chief Ken Nussle are earning $46.12 per hour, which is $95,929 per year, according to Greathouse. They are not elected but are the highest-paid city employees.

He said seven city employees have base pays higher than what is being earned by the mayor. They are Utilities Department Director Franco Lucarelli and Water Pollution Control Director Ed Haller, each earning $93,662 annually; Community Development Director Michael Keys and Engineering, Planning and Building Department Director Paul Makosky, each earning $90,979 per year; and Human Resources Director Brian Massucci, who earns $89,835 annually.

The city's safety service director -- who is now Eddie Colbert -- shall earn 98 percent of the mayor's salary. Colbert earns $84,489. The safety-service director is appointed by the mayor.

The city's auditor -- who is Vince Flask -- shall earn 99 percent of the mayor's salary, and the deputy auditor director shall earn 95 percent of the auditor's salary. Flask earns $86,652 per year.

The law director shall earn 99 percent of the mayor's salary, the deputy law directors shall earn 95 percent of the law director and assistant law directors shall earn 90 percent of the law director. Cantalamessa earns $80,724.

Council members and the council president shall earn no less than 20 percent of the mayor's salary. They earn $11,109.93 per year.

Beginning in 2026, the city treasurer shall earn 20 percent of the mayor's salary.

VIEWPOINTS

After a long drought of raises for elected city officials, Greathouse believes the time is now.

"Elected officials have not had an increase in 15 years," he said. "The cost of living has increased by 52 percent during that time. We have had a wage decrease."

Councilman Ronald White, D-7th Ward, has been talking to his fellow council members about the idea of a wage increase for elected officials for about a year-and-a-half.

"Obviously, I am supportive of the idea," White said. "However, I am not happy about some of the percentage increase amounts. I want to find out for sure how much they are currently earning and what increase the positions will receive under this legislation."

"We have to do this the right way," White said.

Former Councilman Alford Novak, D-2nd Ward, was one of the lead sponsors of the legislation approved 15 years ago that froze the salaries of elected officials and limited the amount of health care.

Novak successfully led an effort to freeze wages of elected officials because of the financial strain that was being experienced by the city at that time.

"The city's finances during that time were very tight," he said. "We needed new police cars, fire vehicles and other equipment that we could not afford."

Novak is not convinced this is the time to increase the salaries of elected officials.

"There's a lot of issues that still must be addressed, including properly using the COVID (American Rescue Plan) money provided by the federal government and ensuring public transportation for city residents that do not have access to vehicles of their own or through family and friends."

Novak said he gave a percentage of his council salary to charity.

While supportive of the concept, Councilwoman Helen Rucker, D-at Large, said council should not pass the legislation as an emergency.

"I think the numbers may be a little high," Rucker said. "I'd like to see some adjustments before taking a vote. I want to know the impact this will have on the city's budget."