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Wakefield adopts Ordinance 7-2025 and applies 3% across library staff wages
Summary
The Council waived readings and passed Ordinance 7-2025 setting wage ranges for Gardner Public Library staff and adopted Resolution 13-2025 implementing pay rates; amid debate over prior increases and payroll allocations, the Council applied a 3% increase to library staff for consistency with other city employees.
The Wakefield City Council on Nov. 12 waived three readings and approved Ordinance 7-2025 to establish wage ranges for Gardner Public Library positions. Attorney Henderson told the Council that prior city wage range approvals had not included library staff and that the Library Board had submitted recommended ranges for the director, assistants and custodial staff.
Ordinance 7-2025 lists ranges to be used in future hiring (Library Director $16.00–$21.00/hr; Library Assistant $13.50–$16.00/hr; Custodial Staff $13.50–$16.00/hr). Following discussion about timing and earlier increases, the Council then approved a motion to apply a 3% wage increase to library staff to remain consistent with the increase applied to other full-time city employees.
The Council also adopted Resolution 13-2025 implementing specific pay rates tied to the pay period commencing Oct. 1, 2025: Library Director Katelyn Pommer at $19.57/hr; Stephanie Palma at $13.91/hr; and Kelsee Obermeyer at $14.42/hr. Council members expressed concern about prior increases and reduced payroll allocations but ultimately voted to align library wages with the citywide 3% increase.
City Attorney Henderson reiterated that the Library Board has authority to recommend compensation but that such policies require Council approval under Nebraska Revised Statute § 51-211. The ordinance and resolution were passed by unanimous vote and will take effect after passage, approval and publication as required by Nebraska law.
