Truman council approves staff pay-step placements and names Brown public works superintendent

The Truman City Council met in special session on Aug. 20, 2024, at the Municipal Building Fire Hall and approved several personnel pay-step placements, appointed Utility Foreman Brent Brown as the city’s new Public Works Superintendent, and asked staff to revise a water/wastewater pay scale to include licensing steps.

Administrative Assistant Raquel Ebeling requested her annual review be held in an open meeting; the council approved placement at Step 1 on the new pay scale (she was previously on Step 3), with the customary six-month step and annual increases. Ron Kelley moved the recommendation and Brian Nickerson seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

Deputy Clerk and Utility Billing Specialist Carol Becker asked that her review be held openly; the council approved moving her from Step 3 to Step 2 on the updated scale, with normal anniversary step increases. Patty Truax moved the placement and Chris Mosloski seconded; the motion carried on a unanimous vote.

City Clerk/Treasurer Melissa Sirovy requested her review in open session. Councilors recommended moving Sirovy from Step 7 to Step 5 on the updated pay schedule; Kelley moved the placement and Nickerson seconded. The motion passed with all councilors voting yes.

Utility Foreman Brent Brown requested his review in open session. Council reviewed a new Public Works Superintendent position and its wage scale; the superintendent will serve as head of public works across departments. Council appointed Brown to the position with placement at Step 4 on the new scale. Kelley moved the appointment and Mosloski seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

Seasonal Public Works employee Cade Hotzler requested his review in open session; council discussed approving leave during the workday for emergency ambulance calls when the schedule allows and the supervisor consents. Water/wastewater employee Mike Rhey raised concerns about his position’s pay scale and duties; council members said the scale should be structured as steps with licensing increases and agreed it appeared too low. Council directed Brown to work with the IBEW union representative, Josh Laven, to revise the water/wastewater pay scale and return with a proposal at the next meeting.

Street Department employee Wayne Wiederhoeft discussed a possible transition to public works and said he would consider it after renewing his CPO certificate. Street Superintendent John Bosshart described how the new public works organizational structure would function with the superintendent as the department head.

The council adjourned at 7:57 p.m. following a motion by Patty Truax, seconded by Chris Mosloski; the vote was unanimous. All approved step placements and the appointment took effect on the current pay period, per the motions.