By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
After months of discussion, Canal Winchester City Council moved forward with setting the mayor’s salary after previously approving the city administrator’s position.
During the May 15 work session, council debated the merits and problems with establishing a salary range, not including benefits, from $20,000 to $50,000.
“If we did a $3,000 car allowance (currently $6,000), single rate insurance at $13,500 and $10,000 PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) pickup—that’s if we go with a $40,000 salary—that’s a total of $65,500 with salary and benefits,” said Councilwoman Jill Amos.
Councilman Steve Buskirk said he still felt like council was making a charter change by reducing the mayor’s salary so much. While he was in favor of reducing the salary, he still wanted the action done as part of a charter change.
Council President Chuck Milliken said he felt more comfortable moving forward with salary changes after another charter review was conducted.
“We’re not changing the mayor’ position or obligations,” said Amos. “We’re not changing anything with the city administrator.”
Councilman Patrick Shea then moved sending one untabled resolution and an amended version forward, one for a $40,000 and another for a $50,000 salary, for full council action following the work session.
Subsequently, the $40,000 salary—which is in effect from Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2025—along with the full $500 per month auto allowance, single coverage health insurance and PERS pick up, was approved during the May 15 regular session.
However, the vote was split with Buskirk and Milliken voting against the resolution and Amos, Laurie Amick, Patrick Shea, Mike Walker, and Bob Clark voting for the resolution.
Township police report
In his April report to the council, Madison Township Police Chief Gary York said there were 270 calls for service within the Canal Winchester city limits, with a year-to-date total of 1,364 calls. Department officers made 104 business checks in April, responded to 14 stationary traffic enforcement calls, made 23 traffic stops, and wrote three tickets in Canal Winchester.
