Mayor Krauss objects to council's proposed pay cut for city administrator during FY27 budget debate

A proposed amendment to the fiscal year 2027 budget drew extended debate when the council included a line that would create a new department for the city administrator and reduce the position's compensation by $26,022, of which $22,000 was described in the meeting as a salary reduction.

Mayor Krauss disputed the council's approach and outlined the city administrator's prior raises and contributions: "January 31, 01/31/2024, $8,000," "On 05/30/2024, $10,000," and "07/01/2025, $5,767.21." The mayor said the administrator's leadership helped secure "more than $1,000,000 in revenue funding for the city," "over $700,000 in grants," and recovered developer-owed revenue of "$176,625," and highlighted a water meter replacement program that the mayor said will generate roughly $30,000 in monthly revenue. The mayor framed the issue as fairness and consistency, asking why only one employee was being singled out for a compensation reduction.

Council members questioned the timing and rationale for the rollback and discussed the council's authority over compensation decisions. The transcript records the motion to approve the budget amendment and a call for a vote; however, the transcript does not include a clear recorded outcome (individual tallies or a final "approved" announcement) for the budget amendment item.