BELLVILLE, Ohio -After much public discussion and nearly an hour of executive session during the March 17 regular meeting, the Bellville Village Council at last agreed to amend the proposed ordinance that would have reduced the mayor’s salary to $7,000 annually.
The “Ordinance to Add a Section 31.08 to designate the mayor as a part-time position for the purpose of employment benefits and to set the annual salary for the same” was amended from the original $7,000 to a gradual reduction in salary: $22,000 in 2016; $20,000 in 2017; $18,000 in 2018; and $16,000 in 2019.
Although council sets the mayor’s salary, they cannot set hours, therefore the designation of part time is merely for the purpose of employment benefits – benefits are not provided for part-time employees. This is currently not an issue, as Bellville Mayor Darrell Banks volunteered not to receive benefits paid by the village.
Prior to the council entering executive session, village residents spoke in support of Banks.
Joyce White said that she had known Banks for many years, “He’s very intelligent, very capable and that’s why we elected him mayor. The people elected him to serve as mayor of Bellville. We also elected all you council people, so hopefully you’ll use good judgment.”
Teri Brenkus asked why the previous mayor’s salary had increased. Banks said the salary increased from $5,800 in 1997 to $8,000 in 1999, and on Dec. 29, 2003 it was raised to $12,000, then one week later on Jan. 5, 2004 the salary increased to $20,000.
Council said there were no notes on the increase, simply that it was done and no reason given. Councilmember Larry Rose said that he was clerk-treasurer during a few of those increases but that it was never said during the meetings why the increases happened, other than that “it was a personal thing for her at the time.” Carolynn Studenmund, mayor from 1986-2008, was the first full-time mayor of Bellville.
Jim DeSanto asked if there was a similar timeline for the village administrator. Councilmember Steve Beal replied that the village went from a board of public affairs to an administrator in 1996. Beal said the position began as a full-time position at $11.50 per hour. He said the salary increased to approximately $16 per hour from 2005 to 2007. Then an administrator was hired at $20,000.
The current administrator, Charles F. Pscholka, was hired in 2008 at $18,000 for 624 hours annually. It was increased in 2009 to 2011 for 832 hours for $25,000. Budget cuts in 2011 hours reduced the position to 10 hours weekly. Currently the position stands at 6 hours per week at $35 per hour, Beal said.
Councilmember Joann Palmer moved to amend the original proposal to a $24,000 annual salary for the mayor. Councilmember Larry Rose seconded it. The amendment did not pass as Councilmembers Beal, Bruce Snyder, David Griffon, and Victor Swisher voted against, with only Palmer and Rose voting in favor.
When executive session was suggested, Palmer noted she would like to have the discussion in the open. Residents in the gallery agreed. However, council entered into executive session at 7:36 p.m. The meeting resumed at approximately 8:28 p.m. with an amendment to gradually decrease the salary from the current $24,000 to $16,000 over a period of four years beginning in 2016.
The amended proposal was approved unanimously.
In response, Banks said, “First, I want to thank the community for their support. I believe the people were instrumental in the outcome that was reached. I am grateful. Joann Palmer and Larry Rose never wavered on their backing; other councilmen moved a great deal from the original proposal.
“In the end, a position was settled on that we all can accept,” Banks added.
