Oconto Falls city employees were granted 2 percent pay raises for 2015.
The group includes seven full-time workers: Nancy Brye, deputy clerk; Eve Wallace, deputy treasurer; Kathy Sutrick, receptionist; Terry Magnin, street superintendent; and Dave VanArk, Gerry Lemirande and Brad Magnin, street department personnel.
Seven part-time employees also received 2 percent raises: Mark Krumrei, street department employee; Bobbie Krozell, building inspector; Larry Jeske, city attorney; James Patenaude, municipal judge; Shelly Whiting, court clerk; and Roy Kooren and Emil Groth, recycling center attendants.
The part-time park and recreation supervisor was also granted a 2 percent raise, although the position will be vacant as of Jan. 1. Kay Oninski submitted her letter of resignation to the City Council on Dec. 9, and the city plans to fill the position after the first of the year.
Mayor Brad Rice told the Times Herald funds for the raises were included in the 2015 city budget. Wallace said the impact of the raises was difficult to determine because employee wages are listed on multiple entries of the annual budget, not specific line items that can be totalled readily.
The raises were approved by the City Council on Dec. 9.
Compensation for City Administrator Vicki Roberts was set on Oct. 21 when she was granted a 10 percent raise, effective Oct. 3, following a closed session meeting of the City Council. She now earns an annual salary of $80,000.
It’s the second straight year the employees were granted 2 percent raises, following the expiration of union contracts in 2013. Employees are now exempt from bargaining contracts, with the exception of the four full-time officers of the Oconto Falls Police Department.
Negotiations between the city and Wisconsin Professional Police Association ended Nov. 20 and was referred to a mediator. The current, three-year contract expired Dec. 31.
A date for mediation has not been set.
Mediation was occurred after negotiations stalled in 2011. In March 2012, the two parties agreed to a three-year deal that included 3 percent annual raises and employee health insurance contributions of 10 percent, up from 8 percent in 2011.
In addition, for the first time, officers were required to make pension contributions in line with those of other city employees. According to the agreement, the officers contributed 2 percent in 2012, 4 percent in 2013 and 5.8 percent in 2014.
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