Carthage council adopts salary-study increases, approves multiple contracts and budget moves; one funding resolution fails

The Carthage City Council voted to implement a comprehensive salary-study update and approved several related contracts and budget adjustments during its Jan. 14 meeting, while rejecting a separate $25,000 professional-services budget increase.

The council adopted Resolution 2,066 to accept the compensation-market update performed by McGrath Human Resources and to implement salary adjustments effective for the Jan. 23–Feb. 5 pay period, with employees to see the change on the Feb. 7 payroll. Chairperson Schramm, who reported the committee findings, said, “53% of the minimums are no longer in line with the external market and needed adjustment,” and described the committee’s recommendation to raise minimums and adjust ranges for most positions.

Why it matters: Council members and staff said the market adjustments are meant to improve recruitment and retention and bring many positions closer to local market averages. City staff said funding for the change was expected to come from savings in vacant positions and that the annual recurring cost of implementing the study is an estimated $395,000 per fiscal year as presented to the council.

Key council actions and supporting details

- Salary adjustments (Resolution 2,066): Adopted (recorded vote described as passing unanimously). Implementation effective Jan. 23–Feb. 5 pay period; payroll impact stated for Feb. 7. The consultants’ summary presented to the council said 88% of positions were below market average, 53% of salary minimums required adjustment, and the study recommended moving to market-step-based ranges and raising bottom levels (minimums) to $15 per hour for lowest grades.

- Stronghold Data network/host contract (Council Bill 25-02): Council approved an emergency ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter a contract with Stronghold Data LLC for a network and host project at $155,663.90; staff said most of that cost will be covered by a grant.

- ARPA budget amendment (Council Bill 25-03, associated resolution): Council forwarded and later approved an emergency ordinance amending the ARPA fund budget to obligate final funds for projects; the ordinance was advanced and passed in voice vote.

- Crop-share farm lease for South Economic Development Park (Council Bill 25-01): Council approved an emergency ordinance authorizing a five-year crop-share lease with SB Farms for the land at the South Economic Development Park; the agreement includes a provision for reimbursement to the tenant if the city needs the land prior to lease end.

- Railroad plan review of McGregor Street bridge (Council Bill 25-04): Council approved an ordinance authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement with Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad Co. for an engineering review at a cost quoted as $39,061.

- Federal transit assistance (Council Bill 25-05): Council approved acceptance of federal financial assistance for transit projects; the ordinance text presented referenced $174,000 for capital, operating or marketing assistance (the meeting earlier referenced an additional $87,000 grant for taxi service during committee reports).

- Police vehicle purchase: Council approved awarding the available in-stock bid of $44,900 to ESU Pursuits for a 2025 Durango as the best available immediate replacement.

- Stump grinder purchase: Council approved a FabiCat stump grinder purchase for $9,126 through a sourcewell contract.

- Wellness incentive program: Council approved an employee wellness incentive program (motion carried) with incentive tiers discussed in committee (figures presented in committee reporting).

- Resolution 2,067 (supplemental budget adjustment for consultant Paul Martin, $25,000): FAILED, 4–2. Two council members recorded as voting no were Chris Taylor and Lori Leese; other yes/no names were not read into the official transcript at the vote announcement.

Council members and staff said the salary changes were advanced sooner than planned because savings from vacant positions existed in the current fiscal year; staff told the council they believed no additional budget adjustment would be required immediately to implement the Jan. 23 pay-period changes. The council also approved committee-recommended job-description changes for the city’s tourism/public-information position and moved several items that were bid or grant-funded forward for contract execution.

Ending: Several items were forwarded to reading or approved by voice vote; the council closed the meeting with a motion into closed session to discuss lease/purchase of real estate under allowed statutory exceptions.