By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Two elected officials are getting raises and non-union salary ranges received 2.7-percent adjustments by Dowagiac City Council action Monday night.
The Local Officers' Compensation Commission (LOCC) meets every two years to consider salary adjustments.
The LOCC separately determines compensation for each elected official in the city.
That determination is considered accepted unless the City Council rejects the recommendation by a two-thirds majority.
By code, the City Council considers each official's salary as a separate resolution and may approve salary recommendations for some officials while rejecting others.
The LOCC met Sept. 15 and recommended an adjusted range for the City Clerk's position to $34,452-$44,786 effective Oct. 1 and increased consistent with non-union employees effective Oct. 1, 2006.
City Clerk James Snow's salary will be raised from its current level, $39,673, to $41,141 effective Oct. 1 and increased to $42,663 effective Oct. 1, 2006. Snow has served since 1983.
The LOCC said a salary range for City Treasurer should be adjusted to $27,102-$35,231 effective Oct. 1 and boosted consistent with non-union employees effective Oct. 1, 2006.
The salary for City Treasurer Robin Coffey, who is seeking re-election to her third term without opposition Nov. 8, will remain at its current level, $30,179, with retirement benefits improved consistent with other department heads in lieu of a wage increase effective Oct. 1.
Salary would be increased to $31,296 effective Oct. 1, 2006.
Amendments to the city Classification and Compensation System of 2.7 percent to reflect the Consumer Price Index (CPI) are also effective Oct. 1.
Individual employee salary adjustments vary based on year-end performance evaluations.
All adjustments, however, are to fall within the specified salary ranges.
Ten pay grades range from $17,259 to $22,438 for Dial-A-Ride drivers to $49,999 to $64,998 for fire chief, finance director, public services director and police chief.