Nappanee Mayor Phil Jenkins

NAPPANEE — During its regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 20, the Nappanee Common Council passed on second reading its 2024 salary ordinance. The proposal will move to a third reading at its next meeting. If passed, it would grant a 4% pay raise to elected officials and a 5% increase to first responders.

The proposed ordinance also details items such as insurance benefits and  overtime pay. It also outlines the five different levels of hourly employees and the minimum, mid-range and maximum salary levels of each. Additionally, there are three levels for salaried employees, each with three separate ranges. All told, salaried employees can earn from $48,000 to $96,000 per year depending on their classifications.

Salaries were also tentatively approved for elected officials, including $$82,263 for the mayor, $79,274 for the clerk-treasurer, $24,000 for the city judge and $6,265 for council and board of works members. Park board members would be paid $575 per year. Also included is a monthly phone stipend for some employees.

Nappanee Mayor Phil Jenkins noted that volunteer firefighters are paid twice each year if they respond to at least 25% of department calls for the calendar year. They receive an additional amount if, at the end of the year, they have responded to 50% of the calls.