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Ely council completes annual reviews of public works and building officials; both receive 3% pay increases
Summary
Following a sometimes contentious evaluation of Public Works Director Mike Cracraft and a separate review of Building Official Don Hendrickson, the Ely City Council voted to endorse both officials and approved 3% cost‑of‑living raises; the Cracraft vote was unanimous and Hendrickson's passed 4–1.
At its July 25 meeting the Ely City Council completed annual performance evaluations for two department heads and approved a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for each.
Public Works Director Mike Cracraft, who has served in the role since mid‑2023, faced a line of questioning from Councilman Jim Alworth about operational decisions including a disputed incident in which a city employee’s private vehicle was washed on city premises, the handling and timing of a surplus or replacement dump truck, and the quality of recent road resurfacing work on 11th Street East. Cracraft told the council the vehicle washing occurred after hours, defended his equipment replacement recommendations as previously authorized by council votes, and said seasonal repair constraints affected earlier pothole work.
Councilman Alworth pressed for stronger preventative maintenance planning and clearer communications from Public Works. Cracraft said crews document daily inspections and follow manufacturer recommended maintenance schedules and that he was exploring a replacement schedule to anticipate future capital needs.
Several council members publicly commended Cracraft’s performance and leadership. "I think you have done a tremendous job in the last ten months," Councilwoman Samantha Elliott said. Councilman Terrill Trask and others praised his communication and growth in the role. A motion to endorse Cracraft and grant a 3% raise passed unanimously.
Building Official Don Hendrickson, in the second evaluation, described a heavy workload and urged the council to consider hiring a code enforcement officer or planner to support inspections, subdivision review and nuisance abatement. Council members praised his adherence to regulations and his methodical approach; the council approved a 3% cost‑of‑living raise for Hendrickson, with Councilman Alworth voting no, citing concerns about the hiring process and prior approval of the starting salary.
Public comment during the session included both criticisms and support: resident Kerri Pintar urged the council to keep evaluations positive, while wastewater plant employee Julie Baca defended Cracraft and criticized what she called disrespectful remarks from a council member. Mayor Nathan Robertson closed the segment by noting the council will consider staffing and budget items in the fall budget cycle.
Next steps: the approved raises will be applied in accordance with city payroll procedures and staffing needs such as code enforcement will be considered during upcoming budget discussions.
