A township’s top leader got a $20K raise. How does the new salary compare?

Kalamazoo, Mi-Superintendent Scott Hess from Comstock Township earned a $ 20,000 in a 4-2 votes final month, bringing his annual wage to $ 134,974.

The board of administrators of the municipality deliberated virtually two hours in a closed session earlier than spending the rise on 28 April.

His wage began at $ 83,500 in 2016, Kalamazoo Gazette reported earlier and was as much as $ 114,974 in 2024.

The rise was justified due to the ” dedication ‘of Hess,’ professionalism ‘and’ onerous work ‘, stated Nicole Beauchamp, an announcement from the board.

However others doubted the wage.

The cut up resolution got here per week after the legal professionals of the municipality had accomplished an investigation right into a hostile grievance within the office submitted by Hess in opposition to treasurer Sandy Bloomfield.

Comstock resident William Knight raised questions in regards to the reimbursement on social media and in public feedback.

“It was simply a particularly massive quantity for such a small municipality,” stated Knight.

Knight additionally serves as a deputy treasurer, appointed by Bloomfield in February. He might not vote or take part in closed periods, however can take part in Open Assembly Dialogue when Bloomfield is absent.

The mandatory work is completed in Comstock Township, he stated, however he doesn’t really feel that the position of Hess is the same as the quantity of compensation he receives.

“It is primarily simply in his workplace and delegates,” stated Knight.

In keeping with his contract, Hess’s duties embody supervision of all workers and contracted professionals, drawing up an annual price range, getting ready assembly agendas, implementing laws and rising gadgets for the Township Board to vote.

He additionally has the duty of attending skilled conferences, assembly different native leaders and downside fixing with residents.

How does it relate?

Three of the most important townships in Kalamazoo County have a superintendent place. Texas Township and Kalamazoo Township each employed their new chief up to now yr.

There are a variety of things that may be paid, comparable to expertise, activity duties and group measurement.

That is how their salaries accumulate, along with the inhabitants of each municipality.

(Cannot see the graph? Click on here.)

Kalamazo’s metropolis supervisor, James Ritsema, earns an annual wage of $ 205,345, Kalamazoo Gazette reported earlier. He’s planning to retire in November after 13 years within the position.

Kalamazoo has the most important inhabitants within the province with 73,598 folks, in response to the Census 2020.

Nevertheless, the duties of a metropolis supervisor are completely different from these legally assigned to a Township superintendent beneath the rights of Michigan.

With 22,777 inhabitants within the Census 2020, Kalamazoo Township serves Superintendent Tracie Meered 7,546 extra inhabitants than Comstock Township.

Common was employed final summer time, when the board selected to change from a township supervisor to a superintendent. She presently earns $ 195,000 a yr.

Particularly, the duties of Meered embody that of the Superintendent, monetary director and HR director, she stated.

Matted brings 25 years of expertise within the discipline of management, finance and human assets and greater than a decade of providers and the supervisor of Kalamazoo County to her new position.

Texas Township appointed Brooke Hovenkamp to function his new superintendent in March. Her wage is $ 130,000 a yr.

Her position additionally contains that of the Human Assets Director, per The Texas Township website. In collaboration with the clerk and treasurer, the Chief Inspector of Texas Township can also be accountable for creating the municipality’s annual firm price range.

Between 2015 and 2018, Hovenkamp labored as a deputy clerk/administrative assistant of the Texas Township Superintendent and Planner. She returned in 2021 to function a deputy superintendent.

The inhabitants of Texas Township was 17,691 in 2020, 2,460 folks greater than in Comstock Township, in response to the 2020 census.

Texas Township plans to satisfy the deputy chief inspector roll with a wage from $ 80,000. Neither Comstock nor Kalamazoo Township have this position.

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