By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
Groveport City Council is considering pay raises for council members and the mayor.
On March 27, council heard the first readings of ordinances to:
•raise council’s annual salary from $3,000 to $6,000 effective Jan. 1, 2018; and
•raise the mayor’s annual salary from $18,250 to $26,000 effective Jan. 1, 2018.
According to the legislation, the pay raises would be the first for council and the mayor in 25 years.
The legislation would also, effective Jan. 1, 2018, modify the mayor’s health insurance coverage to reflect the same coverage offered to full time city employees.
“The proposed change to the mayor’s medical insurance would actually be a significant savings to the city,” said Groveport City Administrator Marsha Hall.
Currently the city pays $4,190 per month, or $50,287 per year, for the mayor’s health insurance plan. By changing it to reflect the city employees’ health insurance plan, city officials state the cost for the mayor’s insurance coverage drops to $2,353 per month, or $33,745 per year.
When asked to comment on the proposed pay raises, Council President pro-tem Ed Dildine deferred, stating council will openly discuss the issue fully at its committee of the whole meeting on April 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the municipal building, 655 Blacklick St.
Prior to the legislation being written, Council Clerk Ruth-Anne Ross surveyed several area municipalities to see what they pay their elected officials. City officials also reviewed the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s 2016 Annual Salary and Fringe Benefit Survey.
MORPC’s and Ross’ surveys indicate there is a range in annual salaries for councils and mayors in Central Ohio.
Here are the annual salaries for some area city councils: Bexley, $6,360; Canal Winchester, $6,592; Dublin, $11,250; Grove City, $6,000 (this will rise to $11,000 in 2018); Obetz, $6,480; Pickerington, $7,200; Reynoldsburg, $7,500; Whitehall, $5,200.
Here are the annual salaries for some area mayors: Bexley (no city administrator), $107,702; Canal Winchester (no city administrator), $90,125; Dublin, $15,750; Grove City, $25,000; Obetz, $21,600; Pickerington, $12,000; Reynoldsburg, $9,700; and Whitehall (no city administrator), $82,500.
Regarding other Groveport area elected officials, the Madison Township trustees are paid $20,568 per year. Madison Township Administrator Susan Brobst said the township trustees’ salary is based on the township budget, per the Ohio Revised Code.
Members of the Groveport Madison Board of Education, who meet one to two times per month, are paid $125 per meeting, according to Groveport Madison Schools Treasurer John Walsh.
Groveport City Council will vote on the proposed pay raises for city council and the mayor at a future meeting.
