NEW PAY SCHEDULE COMING FOR CITY WORKERS IN JACKSON

JACKSON -- Jackson city employees should see pay raises -- larger for longtime employees, smaller for new ones -- after Jan. 1.

Jackson aldermen approved the plan at Monday night's meeting.

City Administrator Steve Wilson said employees who worked for the city 17 or 18 years were paid the same as those employed for two years.

"There was no type of pay plan beyond two years," he said.

Under the new program, employees receive percentage points for their years with the city, resulting in equal pay increases for all.

Aldermen must reapprove the plan each year for it to stay in affect.

In approving the plan, Alderman David Ludwig said nothing would change about the employee benefit package. In fact, the city is looking to make additions to the medical plan.

Future Jackson mayors and aldermen will benefit, too. Currently, the city pays the mayor $100 a month and aldermen $50 a month. Upon election or re-election, the mayor will receive $250 monthly, plus mileage and expenses, and aldermen will receive $125 monthly.

Mayor Paul Sander said he and the current board wouldn't benefit from the proposal unless they were re-elected.

Wilson said his proposed increase reflected appreciation for the hours of work put in by the city's elected officials.

"The stipend hasn't been changed since the 1960s," he said. "It was only reasonable to make this modest adjustment since this is the only benefit they receive."

The pay plan for the employees and officials was passed without a "no" vote.