Which Martinsville officials, employees earned raises in 2022?

MARTINSVILLE - Most of the elected officials, appointed officials and city employees in Martinsville will receive a 5 percent raise next year after city council voted to approve salary rates for 2022.

During Monday's Council meeting, Council members approved two ordinances establishing next year's salaries for elected officials as well as salaries for certain appointed officials and city employees.

Prior to holding a vote, Mayor Kenny Costin asked for the Council's approval to suspend the rules in order to pass the ordinances on their first reading. The council unanimously approved the request.

Costin will receive a salary of $70,707 - about $3,000 more than he will earn this year - along with $8,960 for his retirement fund and $28,301 for health insurance.

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Clerk-Treasurer Becky Tumey will earn an annual sum of $67,349 along with $8,960 for retirement and $28,301 for health insurance.

The salary for Martinsville City Court Judge Mark Peden was increased to $41,970. The position does not include benefits.

Common Council members, who work part-time, will receive a salary of $8,872 after earning $8,450 last year.

Mack Porter, the executive assistant to the mayor, will receive a salary of $61,388, up from last year's annual sum of $58,465. Porter also received a $10,000 raise last year.

First Deputy Clerk Ben Merida will receive $60,802 next year after earning $57,907 this year.

City Superintendent Mac Dunn will earn a fixed salary of $67,002.

Building Inspector Bob Strader is set to receive $52,994.

Director of Planning and Engineering Gary Oakes will receive a salary of $104,797.

Police and fire pay

The pay matrix for police and fire employees was also updated.

First-year firefighters and patrol officers will receive a base salary of $52,037, increasing to $66,287 by their thirteenth year. Chiefs are given an additional $10,000 and the deputy chiefs another $6,000. Fire marshals, captains and lieutenants also earn a few thousand dollars in extra pay.

Police Chief John Richard and Fire Chief Kevin Greene are slated to receive $76,287 next year.

Boards and Commissions

* Plan Commission - $75 per meeting

* Plan Commission secretary - $25 per meeting

* Board of Public Works - $100 per meeting

* Board of Zoning Appeals - $75 per meeting

* BZA secretary - $25 per meeting

* Unsafe Building Authority - $75 per meeting

* Redevelopment Commission - $75 per meeting

Council voted unanimously to approve both salary ordinances. Council member Josh Ferran was absent.

Changes to fire code discussed

City Fire Marshal Charlie Fraker outlined proposed amendments to the city's code related to fire prevention and protection services.

Fraker said the changes cover "holes" in the Indiana Fire Code and will strengthen the city's local burning ordinance. They will also give the department the authority to levy fines against business owners who fail to address repeated false alarms.

"We get inundated every year with a number of false alarms that are simple fixes, but the property owners don't like to take care of those issues." Fraker said.

No one spoke during Monday's public hearing on the issue. Council is expected to vote on the changes at its next meeting on Nov. 8.

Red Ribbon Week

Thirteen students from John Wooden Middle School wore red as Mayor Costin read a proclamation declaring the week of Oct. 23-31 to be "Red Ribbon Week", encouraging residents to participate in drug prevention education activities.

The national Red Ribbon Campaign is sponsored by the National Family Partnership.

The next meeting of Martinsville Common Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8, in council chambers at Martinsville City Hall, 59 S. Jefferson St.

Board of Works approves engineering contracts

During the Martinsville Board of Works & Safety meeting, which is held prior to the Council meeting, the board approved a street closure request for the Veteran's Day Program, which will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Memorial Park.

Between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Jefferson Street will be closed between Morgan Street and the alley at City Hall, and Washington Street will be closed between the alley at Super Sports and the alley at BMO Thru Bank.

The event is sponsored by American Legion Post 230.

The board also approved street closures for the Morgan County Fair & Square 5K Walk and Run, which will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Columbus Street will be closed between 2nd and Home streets and 2nd and Ohio streets. Home Street will be closed between Washington and York streets.

The event is sponsored by the Martinsville High School cross country teams.

Board members also approved a consulting contract with HWC Engineering related to road improvements to Ohio Street as the city prepares for the completion of I-69.

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The $407,000 contract covers the cost of construction inspection services for the project, according to director of planning and engineering Gary Oakes. Eighty percent of the cost will be covered by the state.

Construction work on Ohio Street between Poston Road and Garfield Avenue is expected to start in July 2022.

In other business:

* The board approved an engineering reimbursement in the amount of $17,200 for Indiana Southern Railroad related to planned improvements to the city levee system.

* The board approved a change order in the amount of $18,000 for Graves Construction Services related to a project at the wastewater treatment plant to remove phosphorous.

* Sewer adjustments were approved for four city properties.

The next meeting of the Board of Works & Safety is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8, in council chambers at Martinsville City Hall, 59 S. Jefferson St.

Contact reporter Peter Blanchard at 765-346-2942 or pblanchard@reporter-times.com. Follow him on Twitter @peterlblanchard.