By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Dowagiac's Local Officers Compensation Commission (LOCC) Tuesday night decided to reward the performance of City Clerk James Snow and City Treasurer Robin Coffey with 3.7-percent raises each of the next two fiscal years.
LOCC action takes the form of a recommendation to City Council, which discouraged the panel of Chairman Leon Anderson Sr., Renee Grady, Bradley Evans and Richard Fox (Cathy Daniels was absent) from adjusting its pay.
Council is expected to consider the LOCC recommendations Oct. 13.
The LOCC meets in odd-numbered years. It next meets in the fall of 2005.
The LOCC in 2001 had adjusted Snow's $34,109 salary to $35,473 retroactive to the 2001-2002 fiscal year which began that Oct. 1 and to $36,892 for 2002-2003 with 4-percent adjustments.
With 3.7-percent pay hikes each of the next two years, Snow's salary would go from $36,892 to $38,257 in the coming fiscal year and $39,673 for 2004-2005.
The salary range for the clerk's position had been $24,689 to $37,306, based on a 3.4-percent Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase.
The current range for clerk is $25,084-$37,903 after a 1.6-percent CPI adjustment last year given to other non-union employees.
This year the city's non-union employees received 3-percent raises effective today, so the LOCC recommended lifting the clerk range 3 percent to $25,837-$39,040.
Snow, clerk since 1983, is unopposed for re-election to a new four-year term on Nov. 4.
Coffey, who is midway through her second term, saw her $25,947 compensation boosted to $26,985 last year and to $28,064 this year through 4-percent raises.
The pay range for treasurer was $19,750-$30,723 during the last cycle.
It is presently at $20,066-$31,215. The LOCC recommends improving the range by 3 percent to $20,668-$32,151 and setting Coffey's 2003-2004 pay at $29,102 and at $30,179 for 2004-2005.
By expressing satisfaction with their own pay through Nelson, Mayor Donald D. Lyons would continue to receive $1,000, plus $25 per meeting up to $600, or a potential $1,600 total.
Council members can receive as much as $1,200 based on a $600 base salary and $25 per meeting capped at $600.