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Nowthen council sets Natalie Johnson’s salary at $105,000 amid debate over role and review process
Summary
Following benchmark research and a wide council discussion about responsibilities and training, Nowthen’s council voted to set the city clerk salary at $105,000. Members asked staff to revise the draft employment agreement, remove any guaranteed six‑month merit step and return with clearer review and severance language.
The Nowthen City Council voted July 14 to set Natalie Johnson’s annual salary at $105,000 as the council continues to define the scope of the clerk role and finalize an employment agreement.
Council member Swinson summarized salary benchmarking from the League of Minnesota Cities and other local comparisons and presented a suggested range of $105,000 to $125,000 for a city-clerk/city-administrator hybrid. After discussion about local responsibilities, training and recruitment, the council settled on $105,000, with a majority voting in favor and two members recorded as opposed.
Councilors debated contract language in a draft employment agreement. Several members asked that a clause promising a specific meritorious raise after six months be removed and instead requested an annual review process be documented so merit increases can be considered based on performance, added responsibilities or completion of professional training. Members also discussed severance language (three months versus six months) and asked staff to lengthen the required notice for voluntary resignation from 14 days to 30 days.
Natalie Johnson, who the council identified in the meeting packet as the city’s clerk/staff lead, was present during the discussion and the council emphasized the need for clear expectations and recurring performance reviews. Council directed staff to revise the employment agreement to reflect the council’s direction and to return the updated draft at the council’s next budget meeting so compensation, review timing and contract details can be finalized in tandem with the 2026 budget process.
The motion to set the salary passed on a council vote the same night; the employment-contract items (severance, notice period, and merit-review language) were tabled for further revision and discussion.
