By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
Groveport City Council appears poised to approve pay raises for council members and the mayor at its April 24 meeting.
Council is considering legislation 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.
Councilwoman Jean Ann Hilbert said she has “no problem” with the proposed pay raises for council and the mayor.
“Maybe it will get more people interested in running for office,” said Hilbert. “It’s basically time. It’s long overdue.”
Council President Ed Dildine added that council oversees a multi-million dollar annual city budget and the proposed pay raise is reflective council’s growing responsibilities.
Mayor Lance Westcamp said he supports the proposed council pay raise saying it is “well deserved.”
“The community has grown and council members put in a lot of time and effort in their position,” said Westcamp. “They take pride in what they are doing and in where they live.”
Westcamp said he did not wish to comment on the proposed mayor’s pay increase before council votes on the matter, but added he will make a statement about it after council makes its decision on April 24.
According to Groveport City Administrator Marsha Hall, the proposed change to the mayor’s medical insurance would result in savings to the city.
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.
City officials surveyed several area municipalities to see what they pay their elected officials and also reviewed the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s 2016 Annual Salary and Fringe Benefit Survey. These survey findings 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.
