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Council approves elected‑official pay, tables appointed‑salaries item; directs review of noise enforcement
Summary
On second reading the council approved an ordinance setting elected officials’ salaries, but tabled a separate ordinance on appointed employees pending a title change and funding clarification for the city court clerk role; councilors also asked staff to draft a nuisance clause to strengthen noise ordinance enforcement after resident complaints.
The Martinsville council addressed two personnel items and a community enforcement issue at its Nov. 24 meeting.
Salaries: elected and appointed officials
The council voted to approve Ordinance 2025‑1899, which sets salaries for elected officials, after a motion, second and a voice vote in favor. A related ordinance (2025‑1900) addressing salaries for certain appointed officials and employees — and specifically whether the city court clerk should have a revised title and pay rate — drew extended discussion. Council members and the court representative discussed creating a new job title (suggested: "Judicial Administrator / Court Clerk") to reflect the complexity of the clerk’s duties and to allow a higher pay rate. Staff noted the records perpetuation fund can cover a modest portion ($2,080/year cited) of an increased payment to the court clerk. With counsel review required for drafting precise language and funding lines, the council withdrew the pending motion and voted to table the appointed‑salaries ordinance for amendment and a future reading.
Noise‑ordinance enforcement
Residents described repeated daytime and late‑night noise incidents involving a vehicle with an amplified subwoofer and modified exhaust. Police and the chief said officers need a statutory or ordinance basis to act; multiple complaints increase enforceability and the department recommended a nuisance clause or amendments to the noise ordinance. The council directed staff and select councilors to develop proposed ordinance language to give officers clearer enforcement options.
Ending: The elected‑officials salary ordinance passed; the appointed‑employees salary item was tabled pending an amended job title and funding plan. Council asked staff to draft noise‑ordinance amendments to improve enforcement against repeated disturbances.
