Canfield lawmakers disagree on necessity of city worker raises

March 8, 2012 at 12:06a.m.

Canfield

City council members disagree on the necessity of 5 percent raises for several non-union employees.

Council approved the raises for four city managers during Wednesday’s regular meeting. Council President Dan Frazzini cast the lone no vote.

Frazzini said the four management employees — deputy finance director, income tax administrator, public works foreman and IT director — shouldn’t be given such steep raises when the rest of the city’s workers were granted 1.5 percent pay increases.

“I feel like 1.5 percent across the board is more than fair,” Frazzini said.

While he does think the workers should be granted some pay raise, 5 percent is too high given the economic climate and the city’s current need for new flood alleviation projects, Frazzini said.

“I feel 5 percent, with the economy, is too high,” he said. “Let’s use that money toward flooding problems.”

Mayor William Kay, though, said the management employees “need to be brought up to this higher standard.”

City Manager Joe Warino said council rejected a similar wage increase in 2011, but is glad they approved it Wednesday.

Warino said other Mahoning Valley communities he’s worked for haven’t done nearly as much with their multiple-person departments as Canfield has with single employees running several departments.

Warino said the difference in wage increase doesn’t reflect on the job the other employees do for the city.

Councilman Andy Skrobola said these four individuals go above and beyond their required level of duty.

“I am familiar with the level of performance of these employees this year,” he said. “They’re all more than worthy of a 5 percent pay raise.”