MASSILLON – City Council has amended the salary amounts on a proposal aiming to raise thepay for the offices ofmayor and auditor.
More:City Council proposal aims to hike Massillon mayor's salary to $90,000 annually
Salary for the mayor is in line to risefrom$70,487 annually to $84,000, beginning in January 2024, while the auditor's salary would jumpfrom $57,000to $71,000. Council is expected toformally approve the pay increases as soon asJuly.
A compromise was presented last week by City Councilman Mark Lombardi, R-Ward 1, who offered to change the original proposal, which would have paid the mayor $90,000 annually and the auditor $77,000 in 2024. Councilman Jim Thieret, R-Ward 2, was the other sponsor of the legislation.
The majority of council members were comfortable with reducing the annual raise amounts by $6,000 each, as multiple members expressed hesitation on an immediate jump of$20,000.
"I'm looking forward to some progress on this issue," Thieret saidon Tuesday night. "I think a mayor (of Massillon) deserves a raise like this and hope it will catch up soon."
The next Massillon mayoral and citywide electionis set for Nov. 7, 2023. Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perryhas said she is running for re-election. Any pay increasewould take effect following that contest.
The auditor's postis currently occupied byJayne Ferrero, who is not seeking another four-year term.
Another Massillon mayor, auditor pay bump coming in 2028?
If the proposal is approved by City Council, the mayor's salary will increase to $90,000 per year starting in 2028, while the auditors pay will rise to $77,000.
Catazaro-Perry has said she does not need a pay raise and would rather see council appropriate any additional funding toward creating a new position, essentially splitting the duties of Safety-Service Director Barb Sylvester.
More:Massillon City Council has mixed opinions on mayor, auditor pay raise issue
The idea would befor the city to have a separate safety director and services director, the mayor said. A safety director would likely oversee police and fire departments, while a service leader would manage streets, engineering, wastewater and administration.
City Council has not held any discussion on Catazaro-Perry's idea.
Reach Steven atsteven.grazier@indeonline.com.On Twitter:@sgrazierINDE
