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Casey council approves 6% pay increase for three city employees after split vote
Summary
After debate on comparable wages and tax impact, the council approved a 6% pay increase for City Clerk Gwen Blass, Public Works Director Jon Welker and employee Tim Knapp effective July 1, 2025; the measure passed 3–1 with one absence.
The Casey City Council voted May 5 to approve a 6% pay increase for three municipal employees, a decision that split the council.
Councilmember Rick Blake moved to give a 6% increase to City Clerk Gwen Blass, Public Works Director Jon Welker and employee Tim Knapp, effective July 1, 2025; Theresa Schiller seconded the motion. The measure passed with Schiller, Blake and Mayor Pro Tem Leland Acker voting yes and Rick Richter voting no; Councilmember Wedemeyer was absent.
Discussion before the final vote included a proposal by Schiller to set specific hourly rates and a separate motion to give a 5% increase that died for lack of a second. Richter voiced concern about city taxes while also saying the city needed “to keep good employees to continue to provide services.” Schiller and Blake argued for bringing wages to comparable levels with neighboring cities.
The pay increases will become effective with the July 1 payroll and will affect the city’s personnel budget for FY2026.
What’s next: Council did not return to the topic at the meeting’s close; implementation will be handled in the clerk’s payroll process and reflected in the FY2026 personnel budget.
