Council Members Approve Raises for Employees -- But Not Themselves

Many Strongsville employees, including department heads and workers in two unions, will get 2.25 percent pay raises this year.

City Council voted Monday to accept collective bargaining agreements with the Teamsters, which represents the city's Service Department workers and building inspectors.

The three-year deal calls for a 2.5 percent raise next year and a 2.25 percent hike in 2015.

As is customary, council awarded the same increase this year to non-union city employees.

But just before voting on the measure Monday night, council amended the legislation to remove raises for City Council members.

"We're still not out of the woods financially," Council President Mike Daymut said. "We just thought it was the right thing to do."

With funding cuts from the state looming, Daymut said council wanted to focus on making sure the city's employees were compensated first.

The measure, approved 7-0, increases salary ranges for non-union workers 2.25 percent for 2013. 

For employees in the highest pay range, including the mayor, finance director, law director, police chief and fire chief, the salary range is now $83,713 to $138,160.

A few notches down, the range for the recreation director and safety director is now $65,929 to $108,728.

Council members' pay will stay at $18,841 this year instead of increasing to $19,265. As council president, Daymut earns $20,091 a year, and Council President Pro Tem Ken Dooner will receive $19,467. 

The city is still negotiating contracts with unions represting police officers, firefighters and dispatchers.

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