2012 Auburn City Employee Salaries

[Mike_Walter]

Since 2010, I've posted here a complete list of the City of Auburn's employee salaries and hourly pay rates, categorized by department and job title. The list is based on the City's Form 100-R submitted annually to the State Board of Accounts. My reason for posting the list is that Auburn's annual salary ordinance specifies only a set of bracketed ranges within which the Mayor and his department heads may decide the pay for each individual employee. This means that two individuals with exactly the same job description may be paid at two different rates. The Police and Fire Departments are exceptions because state law requires the same pay rate for all officers and fire fighters in the same classification.

Although public employee salaries are public record, Auburn's use of bracketed pay ranges prevents the public -- and the employees themselves -- from learning what a particular employee makes just by reading the salary ordinance. This is no accident. It's the way the system is deliberately designed. When I first proposed in 2010 putting the finalized salaries on the City's official web site in order to make it easy for taxpayers to find the information, the response of Council Member Jim Finchum (R-At Large) was, "Make them work to get it."

Indiana law requires counties (but not cities and towns) to publish employee salaries in a printed legal notice. DeKalb County published its latest notice in The Star on March 26 (P. A3). And the City of Chicago, Illinois, now puts its employee salaries online, just as I proposed for Auburn:

https://data.cityofchicago.org/Admin...itle/xzkq-xp2w

So without further comment, here's the public record information that Jim Finchum wants you to have to work to get: the City of Auburn's actual employee salaries and hourly pay rates for the year 2012. Salary figures reflect the City's bi-weekly pay schedule. Salaries of elected officials and department heads are highlighted in red.

Board of Works:
Each of two members appointed by the Mayor: $167.32

Building Dep't:
Inspector: $20.65/hr
Admin. Assistant: $14.13/hr
Admin. Assistant: $13.83/hr
Zoning Administrator: $1,730.77
Administrator: $2,193.79

Clerk-Treasurer's Office:
Each of three Meter Readers: $16.16/hr
Customer Service Rep: $13.48/hr
Clerk-Treasurer: $1,881.51
Application Specialist: $1,868.50
Accounts Payable Clerk: $17.17/hr
Each of two Customer Service Reps: $14.14/hr
Deputy Clerk-Treasurer: $1,969.50

Common Council:
Each of seven elected members: $167.32

Electric Dep't:
Each of two Journeyman Linemen VI Lead: $27.70/hr
Journeyman Lineman VI Lead: $26.48/hr
Journeyman Lineman VI Lead: $25.99/hr
Journeyman Lineman VI Lead: $25.40/hr
Underground Facilities Locator: $15.82/hr
GIS Systems Specialist: $1,733.28
Admin. Assistant: $16.67/hr
Broadband Network Specialist: $2,252.08
Assistant Fiber Sup't: $2,372.71
Journeyman Lineman V: $24.83/hr
Journeyman Lineman V: $22.39/hr
General Laborer: $11.35/hr
Tree Trimmer Technician II: $16.73/hr
Journeyman Lineman II: $18.25/hr
Tree Trimmer Technician III Lead: $20.92/hr
Superintendent: $2,718.92

Engineering Dep't:
City Civil Engineer: $2,934.47
Engineer Technician I: $15.48/hr
Assistant City Engineer: $2,366.76
Engineer Technician II: $20.00/hr

Fire Dep't:
Each of three Lieutenants: $1,646.90
Each of eight Firefighters First Class: $1624.61
Fire Marshal: $1,770.28
Division Chief: $1,770.28
Deputy Chief: $1,877.98
Each of three Captains: $1,725.32
Admin. Assistant: $14.10/hr
Fire Maintenance Supervisor: $1,624.61
Chief: $2,088.30

Human Resources Dep't:
Director: (vacant)

Information Systems Dep't (including Auburn Essential Services):
IS Specialist: $2,301.64
Customer Service Rep: $14.35/hr
Application Specialist: $2,087.98
Customer Service Mgr: $1,311.06
IS Mgr: $3,333.00

Law Dep't:
Assistant City Att'y: $638.73
City Att'y: $1,444.28 (Does not include $95/hr litigation rate.)

Mayor's Office:
Purchasing Agent: $1,841.48
Mayor: $1,948.12

Parks & Recreation Dep't:
Admin Assistant: $13.39/hr
Sup't: $2,089.20
Facility/Grounds Mgr: $1,553.84
Maintenance: $16.42/hr
Maintenance: $15.05/hr

Police Dep't:
Captain: $1,861.26
Each of three Dispatchers (Part-Time): $12.12/hr
Each of nine Officers First Class: $1,624.61
Crossing Guard: $110.00
Parking Officer: $10.40/hr
Dispatcher: $16.79/hr
Each of four Sergeants: $1,684.11
Chief: $2,126.98
Detective: $1,684.11
Lieutenant: $1,742.98
Dispatcher: $13.67/hr
Dispatcher: $12.76/hr
Dispatcher: $11.62/hr
Each of two Probationary Officers: $1,530.40
Each of three Corporals: $1,644.87
Admin Assistant: $15.75/hr

Street Dep't:
Equipment Operator II $16.46/hr
Sup't: $2,043.33
Mechanic: $14.80/hr
Truck Driver: $14.25/hr
Tree Trimmer II: $16.73/hr
Equipment Operator I: $15.30/hr
Equipment Operator II: $18.42/hr
Equipment Operator II: $15.78/hr
Equipment Operator II: $17.90/hr
Assistant Sup't: $1,617.16
Admin. Assistant: $16.84/hr
Truck Driver: $13.84/hr

Water Dep't:
Distribution Foreman: $20.22/hr
Distribution Technician I: $11.11/hr
Production Technician III: $18.50/hr
Special Equipment Operator II: $17.70/hr
Distribution Technician II: $16.06/hr
Sup't: $1,804.42
Production Supervisor: $1,878.20
Admin. Assistant: $17.58/hr
Distribution Service Technician: $14.28/hr
Production Technician III $16.18/hr

Water Pollution Control Dep't:
Plant Maintenance Technician IV: $21.87/hr
Sewer Maintenance Technician IV: $18.08/hr
Sewer Maintenance Technician II: $16.01/hr
Plant Laboratory Technician IV: $18.41/hr
Plant Operations Supervisor: $1,788.06
Sup't: $2,419.61
Plant Laboratory Technician III: $16.31/hr
Admin. Assistant: $17.25/hr
Plant Operations Technician III: $17.13/hr
Sewer Maintenance Technician V/Lead: $18.82/hr
Biosolids Supervisor: $2,010.78
Wastewater Program Coordinator: $1,772.77
Plant Laboratory Supervisor: $1,917.72
Plant Maintenance Supervisor: $1,868.50
Plant Operations Technician I: $13.79/hr

[ARMYMPVET]

Or you can simply go to the clerk treasurer's office and ask if someone is that curious. It is a matter of public record. Not much work involved.

[Mike_Walter]

Or you can simply go to the clerk treasurer's office and ask if someone is that curious. It is a matter of public record. Not much work involved.

...which is exactly the way that Mayor Yoder and some of his department heads evidently want it; so that they can know just who is seeing the information, a circumstance that tends to "chill" the exercise of the right. It isn't just the work and inconvenience that's involved, it's also the risk, especially for city employees. Anyone who posts here under a screen name ought to understand that.

[ARMYMPVET]

Are you actually saying that the mayor and clerk treasurer's office take names of people requesting public information? What do they do with this information? What is this risk of which you speak? Are city employees being terminated for asking what they already know?. As for my screen name, you are in the minority of people who who goes by their given name. As you should, being an elected official. I see no conspiracy here that would "chill" anyone. Most people know that that Auburn employees (that includes elected officials such as yourself) are underpaid compared to their counterparts in other cities of the same size. Perhaps, since you have taken it upon yourself to post information that everyone has access to, the men and women who do an outstanding job working for the taxpayers of Auburn (yourself included) can get a pay raise.

[hairypumper]

Thanks for posting this, Mike. Those of us who have to work for a living appreciate not having to take time off to chase down this information. I'd like to know about the city benefits package. The wages aren't that great for many positions, but a good benefit package would make up for that. It would make a difference if I wanted to apply for a job.

[ARMYMPVET]

I too work for a living, 7AM-3:15PM everyday. I have never had to take time off to track down any information from any city department. Each time I have had to go to city hall I have had nothing but a pleasant experience. All my questions were answered in a timely and professional manner. If you are serious about getting an employment application, I imagine they would give you a copy of the benefits package if you ask. Not everything can be posted online as much as we would like. This is not classified information.

[Mike_Walter]

Are you actually saying that the mayor and clerk treasurer's office take names of people requesting public information? What do they do with this information? What is this risk of which you speak? Are city employees being terminated for asking what they already know?. As for my screen name, you are in the minority of people who who goes by their given name. As you should, being an elected official. I see no conspiracy here that would "chill" anyone. Most people know that that Auburn employees (that includes elected officials such as yourself) are underpaid compared to their counterparts in other cities of the same size. Perhaps, since you have taken it upon yourself to post information that everyone has access to, the men and women who do an outstanding job working for the taxpayers of Auburn (yourself included) can get a pay raise.

If you request documents at the Clerk-Treasurer's office, you will probably be asked to fill out a form that includes your name. That's legal as far as I can tell under IC 5-14-3-3(a). Even without the form, some people, especially city employees, might be reticent about making a direct request for information. But the Clerk-Treasurer's office doesn't necessarily have every piece of city information. I don't know how an individual department might handle a documents request from a member of the public. (The Building Dep't is an exception because legal notices for Plan Commission and Zoning Appeals hearings state that certain documents are available for public inspection.) As for what city employees already know, the council discussion on September 7, 2010, concerning my proposed amendment to publish the salaries on the web went like this:

Councilman Walter moved to amend Ordinance 2010-10 to add the following section:
SECTION V. POSTING OF ACTUAL SALARIES ON CITY WEB SITE
Upon the filing of the City’s Form 100-R with the State Board of Accounts for the year 2011, the Clerk-Treasurer shall post the salary reported thereon for each position title on the City’s web site. The posted information shall not include the names or addresses of the employees holding the positions. If the reported salaries differ among multiple employees holding identical positions, the Clerk-Treasurer shall list each reported salary separately. The motion was seconded by Councilman Schrimshaw.

Councilman Walter explained that salary information is public record. Placing it on the website merely facilitates public access.

Mayor Yoder stated that he believes the salaries will be posted on a state government website in the near future.

Councilman Finchum and Councilwoman Gearhart expressed concern that publicizing salaries could cause animosity between employees within the same department.

Councilman Stahly stated that this would limit the ability of a department head to reward an employee for extraordinary work. Publicizing salaries will only cause dissention among the employees. Councilman Ketzenberger agreed.

The motion to approve the amendment failed by the following vote of the Council: Walter, aye; Stahly, nay; Schrimshaw, nay; Gearhart, nay; Finchum, nay; and Ketzenberger, nay.

Doesn't sound like most of the council members thought our employees already had -- or should ever have -- the information, does it? As for the Mayor's stated belief that the salary information would be available on the Indiana Transparency Portal...well, it isn't there yet.

So what's the big deal about easy access anyway? Why can't we just post the information from each year's Form 100-R (minus employees' home addresses) on the city web site? Or why doesn't The Star do an annual story on city salaries the way the Fort Wayne papers usually do? By law the county has to publish its salaries, and so do the schools. Why is there an exception for cities and towns?

You asked, ARMYMPVET, what's the risk in asking for the salary information in person. Maybe none at all, although a number of city employees might believe otherwise. But my question is: what's the risk of publishing the information in the way I proposed? The answer: the risk is to a system of control that's based on keeping people in the dark. I close with a quote from the frequently-quoted Lord Acton (1834-1902):

Every thing secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity.

[ARMYMPVET]

I agree, it would be very conveinient if ALL city documents, records (non-classified), applications for what ever a citizen would need were all online. However, has anyone considered the time and manpower to get to this point? Each department would require a person to do nothing but post items on the city web site. One person could not keep up. Especially if that person types like I do. Until we get to that magic moment, shouldn't we concentrate on more important issues besides how much more this employee is making over that employee?

[Mike_Walter]

I agree, it would be very conveinient if ALL city documents, records (non-classified), applications for what ever a citizen would need were all online. However, has anyone considered the time and manpower to get to this point? Each department would require a person to do nothing but post items on the city web site. One person could not keep up. Especially if that person types like I do. Until we get to that magic moment, shouldn't we concentrate on more important issues besides how much more this employee is making over that employee?

Some things are more important than others. The salaries of public employees constitute basic information that people need in order to do their job as citizens. As for the time involved, all that's needed is a pdf scan of the "sanitized" (no names, no home addresses) version of the Form 100-R that I received from the Clerk-Treasurer.

*** Most people know that that Auburn employees (that includes elected officials such as yourself) are underpaid compared to their counterparts in other cities of the same size. ***

And just how do they know that? How are they going to know it unless they've seen the numbers?

Trust the people, trust their good sense, their decency, their fortitude, their faith. Trust them with the facts. Trust them with the great decisions. --Adlai Stevenson

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. --Lao-tzu

No more excuses! Publish the salaries! --Mike Walter

[ARMYMPVET]

Some things are more important than others. The salaries of public employees constitute basic information that people need in order to do their job as citizens.

Please explain to me how knowing city employee salaries helps me do my job as a citizen.
It is this simple.
1) The numbers are public record.
2) They can be seen anytime by anyone interested enough.
3) Not everything the city does needs to be online.

You said some things are more important than others. How about removing the rubble of the old baitshop located next to Town Tavern?

How about starting the process to remove the old powerplant located by the street department before someone gets hurt. That wall is very close to the street.

How about road repair?

How about the downtown revitalization project?

There are many more important things than what someone's salaries are.

There is not a conspiracy behind every tree-ARMYMPVET

[Common-Tater]

Mayor Yoder stated that he believes the salaries will be posted on a state government website in the near future.

This topic seems to be rather common this time of year in Auburn. You would think Yoder would be smart enough to get more details on this and give a better idea of when something like this would happen. I beleive he said the same thing last year.

Councilman Finchum and Councilwoman Gearhart expressed concern that publicizing salaries could cause animosity between employees within the same department.

This is a comment I've heard a lot of businesses make. But I have yet to work for a company where employees didn't discuss this anyway; even when it risks being written up. Fact is, the law makes Flinchum and Gearhart's comment irrelevant.

Councilman Stahly stated that this would limit the ability of a department head to reward an employee for extraordinary work. Publicizing salaries will only cause dissention among the employees. Councilman Ketzenberger agreed.

Not sure this one makes sense to me either. Is there fear that other employees will get jealous or disagree with an employee being rewarded for a job well done? This suggests a department head second guessing his decision if he has to do it publically. Again, this comment is made irrelevant because of the law. It's already public record. That means city employees also have access to it.

So what's the big deal about easy access anyway? Why can't we just post the information from each year's Form 100-R (minus employees' home addresses) on the city web site? Or why doesn't The Star do an annual story on city salaries the way the Fort Wayne papers usually do? By law the county has to publish its salaries, and so do the schools. Why is there an exception for cities and towns?

I have a feeling that even if The Star published the salaries you'd still insist they be published online. The Star has every right to publish public information. Is it possible they've been pressured by the City NOT to publish it? It's not uncommon for Cities to pressure the paper not to publish certain things or risk the City not being forthright with information for the paper when other things are going on. Not saying that's happened here, but is it possible?

But my question is: what's the risk of publishing the information in the way I proposed? The answer: the risk is to a system of control that's based on keeping people in the dark.

Mike, are your constituents demanding or even asking that this information be published online? How many? Are they complaining about having to go downtown to request the information? I haven't seen anything in the paper that would suggest the residents of Auburn are concerned about this matter. If they're not concerned about it, why are you?

[armyda]

Please explain to me how knowing city employee salaries helps me do my job as a citizen.
It is this simple.
1) The numbers are public record.

Absolutely correct. So why do you have a problem with them being easily available to the public?

Please explain to me how knowing city employee salaries helps me do my job as a citizen.
It is this simple.
2) They can be seen anytime by anyone interested enough.

Interested enough to take the time and cost to search out the information. Why does every citizen need to pay copying costs? How much paper needs to be wasted on each person who inquires?

Please explain to me how knowing city employee salaries helps me do my job as a citizen.
It is this simple.
3) Not everything the city does needs to be online.

Correct, but you seem to have a problem with any public information not being put online by the City being made available.

So I'll ask you: Why do you have a problem with public information being public? Or isn't that your issue?

[michael medeski]

Please explain to me how knowing city employee salaries helps me do my job as a citizen.

please explain why public information made public gets your panties in a bunch?

[Mike_Walter]

Please explain to me how knowing city employee salaries helps me do my job as a citizen.***

Would you feel more empowered as a citizen if the numbers were entirely secret?

***There are many more important things than what someone's salaries are.

But if this is so unimportant, then why do the other Council members work themselves into a lather over it?

***I have a feeling that even if The Star published the salaries you'd still insist they be published online. ***

Probably would.

***Mike, are your constituents demanding or even asking that this information be published online? How many? Are they complaining about having to go downtown to request the information? I haven't seen anything in the paper that would suggest the residents of Auburn are concerned about this matter. If they're not concerned about it, why are you?

I was elected to bring as much transparency as I reasonably can to local government. That was the central issue in the 2011 campaign. My job is to give people the information they need to evaluate what government is doing with their money.

[ARMYMPVET]

I feel that some of my comments have been misunderstod. I agree with the councilman since the mayor stated that the information would be posted it should be, as soon as possible. I suport public information greatly. However, I feel that there are some things more important that should be on the city's website first. As stated earlier, road repair, upcoming events that may interest the citizens of our community. Park events. I feel that the salaries of city employees ranks very low on the priority list. Since my underwear seems to greatly concern you; how does knowing other people's salaries help you? Has anyone asked if the city employees want this information on the city website? My salary is my business and nobody elses. Again, I am all for public information, useful information. This can wait.

[Common-Tater]

But if this is so unimportant, then why do the other Council members work themselves into a lather over it?

Actually, I would argue the opposite. You're the one that brings this up every year. And you know that every year they will turn down your proposal as they have in the past. Yet you choose to bring it up for posterity's sake. I think you bringing it up every year is what frustrates them, not the actual issue itself. I think you've made your point about how you feel. The rest of the council, including the Mayor, disagrees. Leave it at that, post the salaries on here every year as you always do, and move onto another issue. You're beating a dead horse on this one. They've voted you down on posting this on the city website. That won't change unless you get enough citizens from all areas in the city demanding it.

I was elected to bring as much transparency as I reasonably can to local government. That was the central issue in the 2011 campaign. My job is to give people the information they need to evaluate what government is doing with their money.

No one of any real merrit ever challenges any of you. I'm not sure I'd call what Auburn has, a campaign. However, the central issue may have been transparency but that will never happen with the council as it stands. If the citizens there truely want transparency they need to stop electing Yoder and his good 'ol boys. I'm not necessarily agaisnt everything these guys do....but no elected official was ever intended to rule indefinitely. Because eventually you end up with a dictatorship...which is pretty close to what Auburn has right now.

I feel that the salaries of city employees ranks very low on the priority list.

I would agree since they've really not changed much since last year.

Has anyone asked if the city employees want this information on the city website? My salary is my business and nobody elses.

Difference is that they are government employees and so their salaries are considered public information. They know that when they accept their positions. Although, there is a difference between making information available and rubbing it in everyone's faces every year as Mike chooses to do. If anyone needs the info, it's available. The city has done what it's required by law to do. Erik is a very knowledgeable attorney. If they were lacking in this area he'd have told them so. Mike is essentially saying that he knows better than anyone else and no matter what the council decides he will use his public image to do what he wants anyway. And that's a very poor message for a public figure to send.

[michael medeski]

My salary is my business and nobody elses.

i agree 100% as long as your "salary" isn't paid by the public's taxes.

[blue adept]

I feel that some of my comments have been misunderstod. I agree with the councilman since the mayor stated that the information would be posted it should be, as soon as possible. I suport public information greatly. However, I feel that there are some things more important that should be on the city's website first. As stated earlier, road repair, upcoming events that may interest the citizens of our community. Park events. I feel that the salaries of city employees ranks very low on the priority list. Since my underwear seems to greatly concern you; how does knowing other people's salaries help you? Has anyone asked if the city employees want this information on the city website? My salary is my business and nobody elses. Again, I am all for public information, useful information. This can wait.

This can wait because you don't agree with total disclosure, Good going Mike, I wish you were a Kendallville council!

[ARMYMPVET]

i agree 100% as long as your "salary" isn't paid by the public's taxes.

Difference is that they are government employees and so their salaries are considered public information. They know that when they accept their positions. Although, there is a difference between making information available and rubbing it in everyone's faces every year as Mike chooses to do. If anyone needs the info, it's available. The city has done what it's required by law to do

As stated earlier.Employee salaries ARE public and can be inspected at anytime by anyone.

This can wait because you don't agree with total disclosure, Good going Mike, I wish you were a Kendallville council!

I DO agree with total disclosure. See above.

[michael medeski]

As stated earlier.Employee salaries ARE public and can be inspected at anytime by anyone......

.....with the simple click of a mouse. how convenient.

now fix your panties and thank mike for all his "hard work".