Palouse council to eye pay hikes

The City of Palouse will consider wage increases as raises were proposed as part of 2018 budget discussions Sept. 26. Clerk/Treasurer Kyle Dixon has requested a salary increase from $42,000 to $48,000 to reflect what will become a different job description when he becomes city administrator.

Mayor Michael Echanove proposed Dixon's new rate to be $45,600, while giving a five-percent increase to all other employees except Officer Joe Handley and new Public Works assistant Mike Wolf. Handley will assume the higher salary of Officer Joe Merry, who retires in December.

The city council ultimately asked Dixon to put together a job description change to city administrator. He was asked to bring a salary spreadsheet of wage history for all staff to the next council meeting Monday when a preliminary budget discussion will be on the agenda.

“Kyle's doing very, very well,” said Echanove . “His role is changing from a clerk-treasurer to more of a city administrator.”