The city of Emporia’s wage scales will see an increase in the coming fiscal year following formal approval by city commissioners Wednesday.
The commission unanimously approved the proposed salary wage scale increase of 12 percent discussed as part of the city’s budgeting process earlier this year. City Treasurer Janet Harouff says the wage scale resolution is a separate item to the proposed two percent pay increase and 2.5 merit increase which also saw approval as part of the 2022 budget planning process.
Director of Human Relations Jo Lynne Harron says they would have liked to see the scale increase approved at an earlier time, however, she is pleased the item has been resolved for the time being.
The wage scale increase will take effect on Jan. 1, 2022.
In other business, commissioners began the process to establish the new Brownstone/Red Bricks Investment travel plaza project as a tax increment financing district. Special Projects Coordinator Jim Witt explains what a TIF and how it benefits the city and project developers.
Witt says final action on the TIF district is still a ways off, as Wednesday’s action was just the first small step in what is typically a long, involved process.
The proposed 30-acre development project is set to bring a new travel plaza to Emporia and could include an RV park, restaurants, hotels and a strip mall.
Wednesday’s meeting followed two days worth of executive sessions by commissioners regarding non-elected personnel matters with representatives of Osenbaugh Deardoff Consulting, the firm chosen to lead the search for a new city manager following the retirement of current manager Mark McAnarney later this year. While he couldn’t divulge much information on the city manager search or the exact conversations within the executive sessions, Emporia Mayor Rob Gilligan says there is a lot of progress being made.
Gilligan says the city has received a large number of applications from potential candidates both regionally and nationally. Word on when a candidate for the position will be announced is currently pending.
McAnarney announced his plans to retire by the end of this year back in June after spending the last 31 years with the city including serving in his current role since 2014.
The Emporia City Commission adjourned Wednesday’s meeting until 10 am next Wednesday inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium. City commissioners will hold a joint meeting with Lyon County Commissioners Thursday at 11:30 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse.
