PAYNESVILLE -- City Administrator Renee Eckerly will earn over $338,000 for five more years as Paynesville's top city employee.
The City Council offered a five-year contract to Eckerly following a 3-2 split vote during Wednesday's regular meeting.
Mayor Jeff Thompson said he thinks the near 18-month employee "has proven herself" capable of holding the position for the next five years. Thompson said in a Thursday phone interview that the dissenting council members in the vote were concerned about the fiscal issues of offering a long-term contract.
"There was some concern about extending ourselves financially or tying ourselves financially for five years," Thompson said. "But I am comfortable in committing the city to having her here for the next four-and-a-half years."
Thompson said Eckerly's salary will range from $62,500 to $73,116 per year from 2008 and 2012, indicating about a 4 percent salary increase each year. Thompson said Eckerly won't make as much money as the city's previous administrator until her fourth year, which is about $70,000.
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Eckerly's contract also comes with a benefits package, including 80 percent medical insurance coverage, Thompson said.
Just 18 months into her employment, Eckerly has taken on many extensive city projects, Thompson said. Some of her most notable accomplishments included her work with MnDOT during recent state Highway 23 bypass discussions, organizing city committees in preparation for the Minnesota Design Team's arrival, helping reorganize the city hall's interior, and introducing new accounting software to the city books.
"A lot has been put on the shoulders of (Eckerly), but basically no shortcomings," Thompson said. "...We've been working her very hard."
Eckerly could not be reached for comment Friday.
In other city news:
- The City Council was informed Wednesday that its land-purchase offer for a 20-acre plot in Paynesville Township was verbally accepted by the property owners. Thompson said the city is waiting for a few signatures of the property owners before starting construction on its new ambulance garage. The purchased land will also be used for a future emergency medical services building.
- More than a month away from the July 9 deadline, Thompson said he doesn't see a reason why the city would not give consent to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for its construction of the Highway 23 bypass in Paynesville. The public has until July 9 to express concerns to city officials or ask questions about the pending project.
