Myrtle Creek council approves temporary pay bump, management leave for interim city administrator

The Myrtle Creek City Council voted to approve a temporary compensation package for the city’s interim administrator that includes a 10% raise during the interim appointment, 6.6 hours per month of management (administrative) leave and guidance that call-outs for public works or emergency response will earn compensatory time.

Council members debated the size and duration of the increase at length, noting that the city previously authorized a 3% temporary bump tied to pool duties. The interim raise is intended to cover the extra responsibilities the administrator is performing while the council completes recruitment and charter discussions. Clerk (speaker S1) framed the motion and the council carried it after a second; motion language calls for a short contract covering the temporary increase and for the mayor to sign once finalized.

Councilors emphasized the need to clarify how comp time accrues for exempt employees when called out for water and sewer emergencies, and directed staff to prepare a short written contract that will specify retroactivity and an end date tied to charter decisions or the hiring timetable. Speaker S5 (finance officer) said the prior administrator had a $25,000 spending limit and staff would keep that for the pro tem administrator unless the council chooses otherwise. Speaker S6 recommended keeping the interim appointment through the end of the calendar year if the council misses ballot or charter deadlines.

Next steps: staff will draft the short contract reflecting the motion, include retroactive pay language, and return it to council for signature. The council directed that the contract specify the 6.6 hours/month management leave calculation and how comp time is handled for emergency call-outs.