Westland council approves two‑year pay plan, adds grant‑writer position after lengthy debate

The Westland City Council on Monday approved a two‑year pay plan for mayoral appointees that raises compensation about 1.8% over the term and places a new “grants and philanthropy” (grant‑writer) position on the city pay plan.

Council members spent more than an hour probing the fiscal effect of the plan and pressed the administration for a study session before voting. Councilwoman Murkowski said she was not prepared to approve a multi‑year compensation commitment “without having reviewed the Q2 financials” (Councilwoman Murkowski). Multiple council members asked for precise figures and for assurances that the increases would not require cuts to core services such as police and fire.

City finance staff estimated the immediate general‑fund cost at roughly $80,000 for the remainder of the current fiscal year, or about $160,000 annualized, and said the administration does not plan to use undesignated fund balance to pay the increases (Finance representative). The plan also ties some appointed‑official increases to negotiated union adjustments, which several council members said made the long‑term cost projection dependent on future collective bargaining outcomes.

A particular point of contention was the new grant‑writer role. The mayor and finance staff described the position as a director‑level hire (grade 3) that would be funded later in a second‑quarter budget amendment and said the role should generate net revenue over time: “This position will pay for itself, probably by over $1,000,000 in the first year, if I could guess,” the mayor said. Council members sought written benchmarks and a clearer plan for measuring the position’s effectiveness before the actual hire occurs.

After extensive questioning and a failed motion to postpone consideration until a study session, council approved the pay plan by roll call. The clerk recorded the following roll‑call votes on final passage: Bowman — Yes; Martin — Yes; Maxwell — Yes; Murkowski — No; Sullivan — Yes; Samby — No; President McDermott — Yes. The motion passed.

The administration said details about the grant‑writer’s grade and exact salary percentage will be provided as part of the upcoming Q2 budget amendment; finance staff told council the prior contracted grant writer cost the city roughly $72,000 and placing the position on payroll would increase the city’s expense by an estimated $40,000–$50,000 once benefits are included.

Council members asked that future multi‑year compensation items be accompanied by a study session and more complete five‑year forecast materials before a vote. The mayor said he would provide follow‑up documents and that directors’ contracts and other negotiated increases will be accounted for in the city’s five‑year plan.