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Ely council raises city clerk’s pay to $80,000 after annual review
Summary
After a presentation of accomplishments and an exchange about enforcement and pay equity, the Ely City Council approved raising City Clerk Jennifer Lee’s salary to $80,000 a year, exceeding the budgeted 3% COLA and the clerk’s stated preference for the budgeted adjustment.
Jennifer Lee, Ely’s city clerk since April 2019, received a salary increase to $80,000 after the Ely City Council completed her annual performance review on Aug. 8.
Lee told the council she has "applied for and administered over $15.6 million in grants for the City of Ely," and summarized work on multiple capital and grant projects, nuisance-abatement oversight and election responsibilities. She also noted she completed an MBA in May 2024.
The council debated enforcement results, communication and pay parity. Lee said the city’s nuisance-abatement process follows Ely Municipal Code 4-1-10 and that certified notices are used when necessary; she reported a 75% compliance rate on complaints since May 2024. Council members praised Lee’s responsiveness and record. Mayor Nathan Robertson said he "could not do this without her and her staff," and several councilmembers described her work as instrumental to city operations.
Councilwoman Samantha Elliott initially moved for a 6% increase; the motion was amended and the council approved a change to Lee’s base salary to $80,000 (the position’s range was discussed in the meeting as $60,000–$90,000). Lee had asked the council to apply the budgeted 3% cost-of-living adjustment for appointed officials but accepted the council’s final decision.
The council recorded the pay action as part of the clerk’s annual evaluation. The increase will be reflected in the next payroll cycle and was supported by a unanimous council vote at the meeting.
Ely’s city clerk will continue to lead grant applications, records administration and coordination of nuisance-abatement actions; the council noted the importance of comparable pay in retaining municipal staff as turnover and recruitment are considered.
