City finalizes pay raises for employees, officials

City employees and elected officials will receive a 2 percent pay increase in 2013 after going two years without a raise.

Seymour Common Council approved first reading of two ordinances Monday setting workers’ salaries for next year. The ordinances will be up for a final vote at the Oct. 22 meeting.

Councilman Lloyd Hudson said the increase isn’t much, but it should help employees with cost-of-living expenses such as health insurance and gasoline.

“We’re glad we’re able to do this, because our employees work hard year round to keep the city looking good and to provide services to the residents,” he said.

As part of the salary budgets, Mayor Craig Luedeman will receive $61,962 and an additional $500 in longevity pay, while Clerk-treasurer Fred Lewis will make $50,424, plus $2,000 in longevity pay.

Each city employee is eligible for $100 in longevity pay for each year they’ve worked for the city.

The seven city council members will receive $5,477 each in 2013, for a total of $38,342 and $4,300 in longevity pay.

Dick Wilde, who oversees the city’s Department of Public Works, said his employees are appreciative of the pay raise.

“They’re tickled to death by it,” he said. “They’ve gone two years without one, so anything is better than nothing.”

Wilde said he knows the raise won’t make up for the past two years, but it’s a start.

“With inflation and all, this will help keep them afloat and get them back on track,” he said.

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