During Monday evening’s Plymouth Common Council meeting, members considered an ordinance fixing salaries for employees, appointed officers and emergency personal for 2020.
While the previous ordinance had a two percent increase last night the council approve a 2.8% increase across the board. Councilman Don Ecker said the increase was to keep it in line with the cost of living increase, something the city hasn’t been doing.
The ordinance also includes a four percent increase for the Airport Manager’s position and Building Commissioner’ position. Ecker said they wanted to bring their salaries in line with other city department heads.
The increase presented for the City Attorney was 3.5 percent down from the initial 4% requested by Mayor Senter.
Monday evening Mayor Senter explained his reasoning behind giving Sean Surrisi a larger wage increase than the other city position by saying, “The last five or six years this city has done some pretty special things to help strengthen our economic vitality. I refer mostly to the good working relationship between City Attorney Sean Surrisi and MCEDC Director Jerry Chavez. Just two years ago in early August we lost Bay Valley and three weeks later DelMonte announced they would be leaving. 250 jobs walked out of our city in early 20018 as well as the number one and number four utility customers.
Due to unique financing and tax abatements we have been able to make up for those job losses this year alone. I give full credit to Mr. Surrisi as well as Mr. Chavez for the gains of Winona Home Products, Indiana Wheels Incorporated, Pretzels Inc., Harrington Noodles, Hoosier Racing Tire and Culver Tool.
Sean not only works well with Jerry Chavez but keeps the Common Council fully informed not only here at our meetings but lunch meetings when a new project is on the table. We all have seen what Sean does on a daily basis and this city and its citizens are truly the winners with his leadership.”
The Plymouth City Council members unanimously approved the 2020 salary ordinance on second and third readings.
