BY ANDY TAYLOR
chronicle@taylornews.org
COFFEYVILLE — City manager Jeff Morris on Tuesday was granted a contract extension that calls for a 2.5 percent increase to his existing salary through Dec. 31, 2012.
Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the job contract extension, which came after commissioners discussed the matter in executive session, which is closed to the press and public, in a previous meeting. Commissioner Jim Taylor, Sr., cast the lone dissenting vote.
With the 2.5 percent salary increase, Morris’ yearly salary will be $87,670.30 (his current salary is $85,532 per year). He also will be granted a $450 per month vehicle allowance and be provided with life and health insurance incentives.
Should Morris also attain a master’s degree during the course of the contract, he will be granted a $5,000 bonus to make the salary comparable to other management positions with master’s degree qualifications.
Mayor Alec Hendryx noted that Morris had not received a salary hike in more than two and a half years. When other city employees were granted salary hikes last year, Morris declined to accept the pay increase, the mayor said.
Taylor used words such as “sloppy” and “disgraceful” to describe his view of the commission’s handling of Morris’ job contract extension. He said he had no memory of a 2.5 percent pay increase when the discussion was held in executive session. Instead, the commission agreed to a 2.0 percent pay hike during the closed-door discussions, he said, adding that he was against a 2.0 percent increase.
Taylor said the contract was being discussed at Tuesday’s meeting because the existing job contract, which expires on Dec. 31, required a 90-day timeframe in which the commission was to either renew or non-renew his contract. That 90-day timeframe was to begin next week, Taylor said, which he described as a “hurry-up situation.”
All other commissioners disagreed with Taylor’s memory and his assessment of the situation.
“To say it is sloppy or ill-thought-of are very harsh words,” said commissioner Richard Gonzales. “I don’t know about the rest of the commissioners, but I sure don’t remember what he (Taylor) saying. I thought we handled this in a very professional manner.”
Mayor Alec Hendryx said Taylor’s concerns came “as no surprise.”
“I think this was presented in a professional manner,” said Hendryx. “This is not a hurry-up issue. I know you disagree, but that does not mean it was unprofessional or sloppy or done in a hurried fashion.”
Commissioner David George said he instigated the offer of a 2.5 percent salary increase during the commissioners’ discussions in the executive session.
Commissioner Pam Jones said she recalled the discussion about a 2.5 percent salary increase offer during the commission’s deliberations.
“Jim, I don’t know what you heard,” said George.
Taylor retorted with tongue in cheek, “Let me retract this: I’m real proud of the way are doing it. I think we should all be commended for the way we handle the management of this city.”
