OPINION: After listening to testimonies of three former councilmembers at last night's regular Council meeting I'm saddened the Mayor didn't clip the miss-managed council Salary Commission work in the bud, rather then let it drag on for weeks on end.
The lack of transparency throughout the process was delivered home last night in President Forsythe's statement that "council could have commented at the commission meetings." City attorney Haney didn't inform Council of this until after commission was dis-banded. The Mayor, who oversees all city employees was mum.
A flaw in the process is HR / CEO / Mayor -- through the commission -- didn't ask for input, advice and guidance from previous salary commissioners. Siri Bliesner, present LWSD Board President, was on the previous salary commission; she resides in Redmond, as well. Ms. Bliesner, previous other commissioners and Mayor Marchione could have brought valuable perspective and experience to the decision-making process.
Madame Birney has handled other major issues with alacrity. Unfortunately, she dropped the ball on this one. This management faux pas makes one seriously wonder how other critical decisions are filtered by the CEO and overlooked by the Mayor at our expense.
What are Mayor Birney's next steps? Hopefully, she will encourage commentary from Council in the process.
-- Bob Yoder, 6/7/2023, opinion
Council's present salary is $18,648. Benefits are $28,000. The Commission proposed a $115,294 salary not counting benefits. The "Salary Commission" should be re-named "Compensation Commission" to shed light on the total package! by
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