‘Money well-earned’
By AMY HANSEN CNA staff reporter ahansen@crestonnews.com
There was good news for Creston City Administrator Mike Taylor Tuesday night.
During Creston’s City Council meeting, the board unanimously awarded a salary increase for Taylor.
“It’s been a long time coming and he’s basically underpaid compared to other city administrators,” said Creston Mayor Warren Woods.
The $12,000 raise will take Taylor from $78,000 to $90,000 per year. Woods said the salary increase was brought to the council’s meeting agenda Tuesday by the finance committee.
“Mike is doing an excellent job as city administrator, and the city council and finance committee wanted to recognize that,” Woods said. “It’s money well-earned.”
Up and down
Taylor’s salary has been debated before.
In December 2007, Taylor was awarded a nearly $29,000 raise from his then salary of $61,115 per year. The increase was recommended by former Creston Mayor Mike Tamerius.
In January 2008, the council rescinded the decision, adjusted the salary increase and awarded Taylor a total of only $78,000 per year.
According to Creston City Clerk Lisa Williamson, this was Taylor’s last salary increase, until now.
Woods said Taylor is underpaid and the council wanted to get him up to the same salary as his other peers around the city.
“He’s such a diligent worker,” Woods said. “We’re really happy to have him, especially with his caliber.”
In other wage increase news, the council also approved a 3 percent base-wage increase for nonunion, full-time employees.
Williamson said this base-wage increase is a normal occurrence every year.
Taylor’s salary and the 3 percent increase for the nonunion, full-time employees will go into effect Dec. 9.
