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New Milford trustees back proposal to raise clerk/treasurer pay to $900 with multi‑year increases
Summary
Trustees discussed raising the Village clerk/treasurer monthly pay from $700 to $900 and adding a 3% annual increase for five years; the board also debated raising special‑meeting pay. The item will return to a future agenda for ordinance language.
The Village of New Milford committee debated a proposed pay raise for the clerk/treasurer during its Aug. 27 meeting, with most trustees supporting an increase to $900 per month and a 3% annual increase for five years.
President Timothy H. Owens opened the compensation discussion and trustees compared local benchmarks and membership in the Municipal Clerks of Illinois. Trustee Deanna Rodgers proposed adding $200 to move the salary from $700 to $900 and adding annual percentage increases; several trustees expressed support. "The board, except Dan, would like it to be increased to $900 and a 3% increase for the next 5 years, with an increase to $75 for the special meetings attended," the board recorded during the discussion.
Trustees debated whether merit-based or cost-of-living adjustments were appropriate. Eileen Owens said she values the clerk's long service but questioned whether a roughly 43% increase was justified on merit alone; Dan Wolf urged the board to consider what neighboring municipalities pay. Attorney Jim Stevens suggested drafting an ordinance that could include a sunset provision or built‑in percentage increases to avoid annual re-litigation.
The board did not adopt a final ordinance at the meeting; trustees asked the clerk to place the matter on a future agenda with proposed ordinance language and cost estimates. "You can always give her a certain amount now, and in the future make provisions to that," Stevens said while advising on options for implementation.
