City salaries to increase 3.25 percent

City of Luverne union employees are about to start the second year of a three-year contract, and at a Dec. 8 meeting, the council approved year-end resolutions that included wage increases  for 2021.
The pay plan, effective Jan. 1, will be adjusted to a 3.25 percent increase for 2021, and in the third year there will be another 3.25 percent increase for 2022.
Non-union, administrative and department head salaries for 2021 will also increase 3.25 percent for 2021.
The following increases include step and lane changes and account for additional duties where applicable.
City Administrator John Call’s salary increases from $131,730 to $136,011.
City Clerk Jessica Mead from $73,715 to $77,210.
Finance Director Barb Berghorst from $112,694 to $117,499.
Accountant Candy Reese from $78,749 to $82,410.
Deputy Finance Clerk Robyn Wessels from $88,400 to $92,352.
EDA Director Holly Sammons from $72,675 to $76,128.
Building Official Chad McClure from $77,709 to $81,307.
Public Works Supervisor John Stoffel from $87,194 to $91,104.
Water/Wastewater Supervisor Al Lais from $95,618 to $99,819.
Pool Manager Sam Honerman from $73,715 to $77,210.
Assistant Pool Manager Michelle DeKam from $51,584 to $54,350.
Liquor Store Manager Kenny Rolling from $71,614 to $75,026.
Electric department salaries are paid from the city’s $600,000 contract with Missouri River Energy Services. Those workers — Brian Remme, Mike Gangestad, Dakota Olson, Mike Buss and Jeff Bechthold — are MRES employees, and their salary information is not public.
 
Utility rates to increase 4.96 percent
In other business at their Dec. 8 meeting, the council set license fee rates and charges for city services. The average city utility bill will increase 4.96 percent next year.
The council also set the $2.3 million tax levy for 2021, agreed to distribute $100,000 in additional pandemic relief funds for businesses, and approved plans for the $5 million pool and fitness center project.
Read those related stories in this edition for details.