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Fruit Heights council sets city manager pay at $138,000, delays pay-scale adoption
Summary
The Fruit Heights City Council voted July 7 to set the city manager's annual salary at $138,000 and removed a proposed county-low pay scale from the ordinance for later review when the full council is present. Council members said the pay-scale remains aspirational and will be revisited during the budget cycle.
The Fruit Heights City Council voted on July 7 to adopt an amended ordinance setting the city manager's salary at $138,000 and to remove an attached pay scale for further consideration when the full council is present.
The action capped a lengthy discussion that followed a required public hearing on compensation for elective and statutory officers. Mayor Jeannie Groberg opened the hearing and city manager Darren Franzen explained that state law changed in 2024 to require a standalone hearing when raises are proposed. Resident Dale Kunkel urged adoption of a structured pay matrix, saying it helps recruitment and retention and prevents the city from "becom[ing] the incubator for other cities." "I applaud the city staff, city council and mayor for coming up with the matrix," Kunkel said.
Council members debated whether to include the new pay-scale language in the ordinance now. Several members described the pay scale as aspirational and based on county low comparables; others said clarity was needed to ensure raises stayed within previously approved budgetary direction (characterized during the budget process as roughly a 3% adjustment plus COLA). Eileen Moss moved to adopt page one of the ordinance, set the city manager salary at $138,000 and remove the pay scale from the ordinance to revisit with the full council; Blake Winslow seconded the motion.
By roll call, Council members Eileen Moss, Mark Cottrell and Blake Winslow voted yes; two council members were excused. The ordinance as amended takes effect per the ordinance language and leaves the pay-scale work for a future meeting when the full council can participate.
Council and staff described the adopted approach as consistent with the recently approved budget and emphasized the council's intention to review pay guidance annually. City manager Darren Franzen told the council the pay scale is meant as a multi-year guide to move most positions from county low ranges toward midpoints over time, not an immediate across-the-board increase. The council directed staff to return with any clarifying edits and to continue discussions about how to implement the scale over future budget cycles.
The council's action was the most consequential formal vote of the meeting; no further formal appeals or amendments were recorded.
