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MetroParks board OKs compensation adjustments for 12 employees
CANFIELD
The Mill Creek MetroParks board this week OK’d $70,000 worth of 2017 compensation adjustments for a number of employees, many of whom recently have taken on new roles or responsibilities.
The adjustments follow approval over the last several months of raises for the park’s full-time employees, after several years under a wage freeze.
The MetroParks’ nonunion, Fraternal Order of Police, and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees workers received a 1 percent raise this year, and will receive 1.5 percent and 2 percent raises in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Aaron Young, executive director, credited the employees who are receiving additional salary adjustments with making the MetroParks more efficient.
“The adjustments are being funded or are made possible because of the very efficiency improvements made by these noted employees,” Young told The Vindicator. “It is their willingness and dedication to being more efficient with the public’s tax dollars that has allowed the organization to reduce its operating costs and improve the experience for park visitors, even with these modest adjustments.”
“The approved compensation adjustments support the MetroParks’ strategic objective of being both internally equitable and externally competitive regarding employee compensation, and they further demonstrate the organization’s commitment to maintaining a highly qualified and professional workforce,” he stated in a report on the adjustments.
Twelve employees will receive adjusted compensation.
The highest adjustment ($12,815) was given to Carol Vigorito, who, according to a report provided by the MetroParks, took over as director of the recreation and education department earlier this year without receiving additional compensation. The change, paired with a 1.5 percent raise, brings her 2017 salary to $52,130 from her current annual salary of $38,733.50.
Also among the recipients of the highest adjustments are Mandy Smith, who will take over as education manager Jan. 1. With an $8,019.15 compensation adjustment and 1.5 percent raise, Smith’s salary will increase from $39,390 to $48,000.
Andrew Pratt, who took over as gardens director earlier this year after former MetroParks horticulture director Keith Kaiser’s position was eliminated, will receive an 18 percent raise in 2017 from a $8,974.82 adjustment, plus a 1.5 percent raise. That will bring his annual salary from $48,985.40 to $58,695. Kaiser was making an annual salary of $67,080.
Operations manager Randall Malleske will receive an additional $9,271.86 for taking on added duties. That change also reflects a pay-grade adjustment, according to a report. His 2017 salary will be $57,460.
The compensation adjustments – including raises and benefits – total $69,649.24. Counting the 1.5 percent raises, net compensation increases for full-time, nonunion employees in 2017 amount to $92,973.29, according to information provided by the MetroParks.
Earlier this year, MetroParks officials eliminated numerous park positions, citing a need to fill a budget shortfall for the park’s capital improvements. Those position eliminations are projected to save the MetroParks more than $880,000 a year.