Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Warsaw's city council received the proposed 1999 salary ordinance Monday, which will give all city employees a 3 percent pay increase.
"We need to have this approved by Aug. 1, but I would prefer to have a special meeting before then and give the council time to study the ordinance and have any questions," said Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins.
Under the proposed salary ordinance, city department heads will be paid as follows:
• Police chief and fire chief - $41,200
• Public works superintendent - $48,513
• Parks and recreation superintendent - $41,148
• Cemetery sexton - $35,741
• City planner - $35,000
• Airport manager - $37,904
• Sewage collection manager - $32,960
• Building commissioner - $38,831.
Members of the city council would be paid $1,500 per year if the ordinance is approved.
The council will consider the ordinance at a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday.
The council also approved an additional appropriation for the parks and recreation department for the expansion of the park office. The request for $45,400 will be funded by the proceeds from the sale of the old Vandeveer property, located on Baker Street near Kelly Park.
According to Wiggins, the expansion will include a conference room and additional office space, doubling the size of the park office.
In other business, the council approved a 10-year tax abatement request from Instrumed and H. Anthony Miller, LLC, for the renovation of the former Zimmer building at 737 N. Detroit St.
The expansion will result in 20 new jobs at Instrumed and a retention of 40 employees, translating into $650,000 in annual salaries.
The council rejected a request to extend the tax abatement of Warsaw Coil because the firm was found not to be in compliance with the abatement currently in effect.
Finally, the council approved a request by Marilyn Watson for the installation of a street light near the intersection of Husky Trail and and Kuder Lane.
"A light is needed to light the Kuder Lane sign on Husky Trail," said councilman Dewey Lawshe. "It's very hard to see at night and I think the light is justified."
