Tuesday, September 15th, 2015
Celina council OKs raises for 2 positions
City auditor, law director will receive about 12 percent boost
By Shelley Grieshop
CELINA - Raises of more than 11 percent were approved Monday night for the positions of city auditor and law director.
The action becomes effective Jan. 1 and the new salaries will remain in place through 2019, according to the emergency ordinance approved by Celina City Council.
Mayor Jeff Hazel said the salaries for the elected positions have remained the same since since 2007.
"It (the raises) amounts to about one and a half percent increase per year," he said, adding the council looked at it on an annual basis.
The annual salary for the auditor, a position currently held by Betty Strawn, is $54,000 and would increase 11.9 percent to $60,440.
The annual salary for the city law director, a position currently held by George Moore, is $62,000 and would increase 12 percent to $69,440.
Both Strawn and Moore are unopposed in their bids for re-election on the November ballot. Their terms in office expire Dec. 31.
Work is continuing on major improvements to Celina Municipal Court on the second floor of city hall, council learned. The initial project estimate is $420,000.
Council on Monday approved an emergency ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in an aggregate principal amount of $600,000 - as well as authorizing certain related actions - to cover upfront costs for the project.
Also on Monday, council approved an emergency ordinance that includes using $10,500 in unappropriated contingency dollars from the general fund toward the cost of replacing windows on the second floor, north side, of city hall. Although the court is responsible for the numerous improvements under way on the second floor, the window replacement project falls under the city's obligation, Hazel explained.
While the work is being completed, a makeshift courtroom is being used in the city administration building's basement.
The courtroom renovations include installing security measures such as cameras and panic buttons. Also included in the overall plan is the creation of new teller areas with bullet-resistant glass to protect employees, new conference rooms, emergency alarms, improved work areas, emergency exits to fire escapes, court access that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, technology enhancements and electrical upgrades.
City hall was built 125 years ago.
In other business, council,
• approved an emergency resolution accepting $204,139 in Local Government Funds. The amount was about $20,000 more than expected.
• learned the fourth annual fall festival begins at noon Oct. 17 at Eastview Park.
• held an executive session to discuss land acquisition but took no action.
