By: Diane Benjamin
I know most residents of Normal don’t care or they would quit electing the same people over and over, but just for the few who do care:
Quotes:
Normal Mayor Chris Koos is recommending a 4.9% pay raise for City Manager Pam Reece, which would lift her base salary above what city managers make in Peoria and Bloomington.
If the Normal Town Council approves, Reece’s annual base salary would increase by $11,000 to $237,000. The town government would also contribute what Koos described as a “modest” increase in Reece’s deferred compensation retirement account from $2,750 to $3,000 per year.
The higher pay is part of a proposed agreement extending Reece’s contract by a year to March 31, 2028. The town council is expected to vote on Reece’s contract extension at its meeting Monday night.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/illinois/normal
Population, including ISU students: 53,374
The average household income in Normal is $92,868 with a poverty rate of 21.47%.
That poverty rate means 11,459 aren’t paying much of her salary.
Before benefits, Reece will be earning 155% more than the average salary. Should somebody hold a No Queens Day protest?
Maybe it’s just that she’s very very good at everything she does for Mayor Koos and his Uptidy Town agenda.
It’s always (D)ifferent when they do it. You name it, it’s (D)ifferent.
Village of Heyworth administrator Geoff Dodds makes about $195,000. Heyworth has a population of 2950. He does not even live in Heyworth.
Jurgens doesn’t live in Bloomington either
A town manager salary of $237k for a town with a population of 53k is considered high and out of the ordinary compared to the national average, which is around $106k-$175k. While salaries can vary significantly based on location, experience, and specific city needs, a $237k salary would be well above the typical range and the average salary in many parts of the United States.
Average National Salary: The average salary for a town manager in the US is significantly lower, ranging from approximately $106,037 to $174,893 depending on the source.
Typical Range: Most town administrators in the US fall between the 25th and 75th percentile for their salaries, which is typically in the $58,500 to $105,000 range, with top earners making around $150,000.
Geographic Variations: Some high-cost-of-living areas or large metropolitan areas may have significantly higher salaries, but even in those cases, a $237k salary for a town of 53k people would likely still be considered an outlier.
Factors that Influence Salary: A high salary could be due to factors like the manager’s experience and qualifications, the specific responsibilities of the role, the local cost of living, and the town’s budget and financial health.
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Dodds also provides legal services as the village lawyer. Flash back to the years before he was hired and check what Heyworth was paying to have a law firm on retainer. They’ve saved several thousand dollars over that time compared to what they were paying.
Tiny Heyworth needs large legal bills? Maybe the people racking them up were the problem
One person does multiple jobs and we save big bucks. What happens when that one person gets ill, dies or just decides it is time to move on? The whole row of dominoes goes down and we are left holding the bag with multiple jobs to fill. It could happen. Then what? Let’s call it the indispensable man?
No one is ever indispensable.
On the bright side…at least the taxpayers will know the cost of this contract through 3/2028, unlike the underpass that continues to be a spending black hole.
Doesn’t the city of normal have 2 assistant city managers like Bloomington, just asking?
I believe yes
Just another indication that the current crop of politicians don’t care 2 cents about the common man woman or child in this city.
There is zero reason for this raise. There is no threat to Reece leaving. No local government entity will pay her more or give her a better deal to come there. She would either have to take on much more work, oversights and scrutiny in a bigger city or take much less in compensation for a city of the same or smaller size. She has no leverage. This is just giving Koos’ enforcer a reward for everything she has pushed through for him.
With a pension likely to start at or exceed $200k soon after she retires, why does she need a deferred compensation retirement account on top of that? The Normal Town Council’s administration of her compensation makes every other council/board look like geniuses. She does not have leverage. If she decides to “walk” or retire, someone can easily replace her. The council could easily offer a contract with annual 1-2% increases and say “Take it or leave it.” If Normal gets smart and elects new leadership who represent what is best for the Town, her continued employment should be item 1A on the agenda.
From town rank and file employees, to police and fire, to even her departmental leaders, I have never found anyone who likes her as city manager or respects the job she does.