Why a City Clerk’s Recently Approved Pay Raise Is Drawing Intense Scrutiny

Unpacking a City Clerk’s Pay Increase: Why Was It Approved?

A recent decision by city council to approve a substantial pay raise for incoming city clerk Melanie Wood has drawn scrutiny. The raise increases Wood’s hourly pay from $24.50 to $32.84 and expands her hours from 24 to 40 per week. This decision has sparked debate, especially as Wood’s salary will surpass that of the outgoing clerk, Gwen Fisher, who has decades of experience—though not all in Vermilion. With Fisher set to retire in the summer of 2025, the reasoning behind the pay increase has come under question.

Paying Two Clerks at Over $70 Per Hour

One significant point raised during discussions is that, for the next five months, the city will effectively be paying two clerks to perform the same role at a combined hourly rate of over $70. Critics argue that this double expense raises concerns about fiscal responsibility, particularly as other city departments face tight budgets.

Councilman Drew Werley, the lone vote against the raise, stated that it would be hypocritical to scrutinize the administration’s expenses while ignoring spending decisions made by the council itself. He pointed out that the original position and pay plan for the clerk role had already been approved by the previous council and that this increase, coming 11 months later, seemed unreasonable.

Training Timeline Raises Questions

Outgoing clerk Gwen Fisher, while experienced, has not spent her entire career in Vermilion. In contrast, Melanie Wood, the incoming clerk, has been training for 11 months, far longer than the one to three months typically required for similar roles in other municipalities.

Supporters of the ordinance claimed the additional hours are necessary for Wood to complete her training. However, critics argue that the training timeline is unusually long and does not reflect an increased workload or responsibilities for the position itself.

Click here to read the full details of Ordinance 2024-63 regarding Melanie Wood’s appointment as Clerk of Council.

Closed-Door Discussions and Transparency Concerns

Adding to the controversy, Werley attempted to bring this issue to the public agenda to allow for open and transparent discussion. However, the council president ruled against this, opting instead to have the discussion during a closed-door executive session. Critics argue that decisions involving taxpayer money, especially controversial ones, should be discussed openly to allow residents to voice their concerns.

City Council Debate and Decision

The ordinance passed with a 6-1 vote. Council members Jeff Lucas, Brian Holmes, Gary Howell, Steve Herron, Pat West, and Greg Drew voted in favor of the raise, while Werley opposed it.

Councilman Steve Herron was the only member to defend the decision publicly, stating that the transition to full-time hours was necessary:

“Starting at the end of January, the council clerk’s retirement will require a full-time position for all of the tasks that need to be done.”

However, Werley remained unconvinced, arguing that the decision lacked adequate justification and failed to align with private-sector or regional government pay standards.

Comparing Pay: Local and Regional Context

The new hourly pay of $32.84 makes Wood the highest-paid clerk among the surveyed cities, regardless of experience. Data collected from clerks in municipalities of similar size show:

• No other clerk earned more than $28 per hour, even those with 7+ years of experience.

• Many clerks manage similar workloads at part-time hours with far lower pay rates.

Within local government, many full-time employees earn comparable or lower wages, despite requiring advanced technical skills or certifications.

Conclusion: Transparency and Oversight Under Scrutiny

The approval of Melanie Wood’s pay raise raises several critical questions:

• Is an extended training period enough to justify the significant pay increase and expanded hours?

• Why does Wood’s salary exceed the outgoing clerk’s pay despite her limited experience?

• Was the decision to hold discussions behind closed doors in the best interest of taxpayers?

With Gwen Fisher remaining in the role through the summer of 2025, the city now faces five months of double salaries for the position. For many, the decision has underscored concerns about transparency, oversight, and whether the council’s priorities reflect the best use of public funds.