Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reappoints city manager, approves 15% bonus and raises 2025 salary
Summary
After an executive session, New Albany council reappointed Joe Stepanov as city manager effective Jan. 1, 2025, approved a 15% bonus on his 2024 base salary and set his 2025 base salary at $217,312.32; council voted unanimously.
Following an executive session on personnel, the New Albany City Council on Dec. 3 reappointed Joe Stepanov to the position of city manager effective Jan. 1, 2025 and approved related compensation actions.
Council considered Resolution R53-20-24, which staff said is required under Ohio law when an employee directly appointed by a legislative body is rehired. As staff explained, the reappointment "will provide ample time for a recruitment process and facilitate the orderly transition to a new city manager over the next 24 months," allowing the city to maintain leadership continuity while planning a search.
After the public hearing produced no comments, council voted to adopt the resolution and then combined motions on compensation: the council approved a 15% bonus of the manager's 2024 base salary to be paid on the 12/27/2024 pay date, authorized payment of any severance payouts the manager is entitled to on that same pay date, and set the city manager's 2025 base salary at $217,312.32 as budgeted. Mayor Spalding moved the compensation motion; it passed unanimously (6-0).
Council members thanked Stepanov for his leadership and service in guiding the city through significant growth. The action enables a planned recruitment window while retaining operational continuity in the short term.
