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Wakefield adopts 3% wage increase for municipal employees; incoming utility superintendent added to cell phone stipend
Summary
The Wakefield City Council adopted Ordinance 6-2025 to give a 3% pay increase to listed municipal employees effective Oct. 1, 2025, and approved including the incoming Utility Superintendent in the $75 monthly cell phone stipend.
The Wakefield City Council on Sept. 24 adopted Ordinance 6-2025, directing a 3% increase to base wages for specified municipal employees effective with the pay period beginning Oct. 1, 2025.
Mayor James R. Lehmkuhl said the Finance Committee recommended a uniform 3% wage adjustment and noted employee evaluations had not yet been completed; he asked that future wage proposals and evaluations be aligned earlier in the year so staff receive clearer context for increases. Council Member Dolen moved to waive the three readings of Ordinance 6-2025; Council Member Hansen seconded and the motion carried. Council Member Brenn then moved to adopt Ordinance 6-2025; Council Member Dolen seconded and the ordinance was adopted with Brenn, Dolen and Hansen voting aye (Geiser absent).
Ordinance 6-2025 lists the employees and new salary/wage base used to compute the 3% increase, including: Pam VanderVeen, City Clerk/Treasurer ($53,410.03 annually); Nicki Decker, City Administrative Coordinator ($61,465.46 annually); Jon Pretzer, Water Operator ($29.78/hour); Kaden Kratke, Waste Water Operator ($21.77/hour); and Pedro Briones, City Maintenance ($21.78/hour). The ordinance directs the City Administrator to implement the increase and make necessary budgetary adjustments; the wage increase takes effect with the pay period commencing Oct. 1, 2025.
Separately, the council agreed to include incoming Utility Superintendent Cory Buck in the $75-per-month cell phone stipend paid to certain employees. Administrator Mogus recommended the addition, noting cell phones are often the easiest way to reach field employees. The motion to include the Utility Superintendent was moved by Council Member Dolen, seconded by Council Member Hansen, and carried with the same vote as other items.
No salary totals or estimated annual budgetary cost of the 3% package were provided in the meeting minutes beyond the instruction that the City Administrator should make necessary budgetary adjustments. The council approved the ordinance and stipend inclusion as formal actions recorded in the meeting minutes.
