The Emporia City Commission has approved an operating agreement with the Emporia Recreation Commission for the 2023 Jones Aquatic Center season with an increased management fee that was significantly lower than original expectations.
During their regular study meeting Wednesday, commissioners discussed and later approved Mayor Susan Brinkman to sign a proposed management agreement which originally included a management fee increase of $108,000 taking the fee from $47,000 — the standard for the past decade-plus — to $155,000. Commissioners ultimately chose not to support the increase in its original format opting instead to increase the management fee by $47,000 to $94,000.
The $108,000 increase was proposed by Mayor Brinkman, who also serves on the rec commission, during a special meeting last week. Brinkman says she proposed the increase in part to support raising wages for lifeguards to $15 an hour.
The increase would also support raising the wages of aquatic managers to $16 an hour. Commissioner Jamie Sauder stated he was in favor of supporting the managerial raise, however, he felt the raise in lifeguard wages should be more in line with national averages.
ERC Assistant Director of Operations Amanda Gutierrez says the $94,000 fee is a favorable offer that will still allow them to increase pay for staff and admits they were not expecting to receive the full $155,000.
The proposed agreement will now go back to the ERC for final approval.
In other business Wednesday, commissioners reviewed commission goals, a proposed revision to the city’s RHID policy and discussed liaisons to various boards.
During the commission’s regular action meeting earlier in the day, commissioners recognized the city’s accounting department for receiving the Government Finance Officers Association Annual Comprehensive Financial Award.
This is the 37th consecutive year the department has received the honor. Separately commissioners also approved the appointment of members to the Emporia Public Library Board.
Three proclamations were presented and one executive session was also held with no action taken. The Emporia City Commission will next convene on Wednesday, Apr. 19 at 11 am inside of the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
