Council in negotiations with manager candidate

City manager applicant Kurt Fritsch is negotiating with the City Council for a higher salary, council members disclosed.

The status of negotiations between City Attorney Rhonda Vetrovsky and Fritsch were discussed Monday night at a special city council meeting, with Councilman Jim Kenny arriving later in the evening. Fritsch is reportedly asking for more with the position advertised at $72,500.

Councilmen Aaron Kircher and Phil Lyons discussed with Mayor Dennis Berry upping the salary slightly, with Councilman Lyons stating it should go no higher than a certain amount.

Mayor Berry suggested the city restrict the salary to a higher amount, to which Councilman Aaron Kircher agreed.

"I feel comfortable (enough) with his experience to offer him that," Councilman Kircher said.

After a unanimous vote, Mayor Berry directed Vetrovsky to go no higher than a set amount in discussions with Fritsch.

Although the amounts were discussed in open session, the Gazette is withholding the specifics in the interest of fair negotiations between the city and the manager candidate.

Other contract negotiations the council unanimously approved were Fritsch choosing one national conference to attend, with City Council approval needed for all others and moving expenses not to exceed $6,000 with Fritsch's expenses at $500.

The council also agreed to pay the custodial and administrative fees for his retirement package, which the city does for all its employees.

Councilman Phil Lyons questioned the legality of severance pay and pointed out that it may not be a settled issue in the state.

Vetrovsky said it would be part of his compensation package and as such would be legitimate to include.

"This is something we need to look at again," Councilman Lyons said. The council voted unanimously to limit severance pay to three months.

Results of negotiations with Fritsch will be brought back to the council at their Aug. 21 meeting.