By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
Two leaders of Yukon city government will be back for another year of service, and they were both rewarded with raises for their work by the city council Tuesday.
City Manager Jim Crosby’s contract was renewed for another year, and he received a 3.18 percent raise for his work keeping the city finances strong, and city attorney Gary Miller received a 54 percent raise.
Miller’s raise might have seemed high, but it is because he has been hired to work full-time for the city, and not in a part-time capacity any longer. The contracts for Crosby and Miller are effective March 1.
Crosby will receive an annual salary of $162,000.
“Thus, resulting in a $5,000 increase which is in alignment with the average of nine cities with similar populations and structures to that of Yukon,” said city councilman Rick Cacini.
Mayor Michael McEachern said at the meeting Tuesday, “The council has reviewed all of the accomplishments of Mr. James Crosby for the past fiscal year and there are many,” McEachern. “We have restored the city of Yukon to an outstanding financial condition.”
Crosby said the city’s finances are looking good currently.
Crosby served as Yukon’s city manager from 1994 to 2011. He then spent four years in Piedmont before returning to Yukon after a finbancial crisis hit the city in late 2015.
“I’m very honored I love our city and I hope to continue and keep it in the great financial condition we’re in today.”
McEachern said some of the accomplishments of Crosby include work on State Highway 4 and Frisco Road projects.
“There are hundreds of projects that have gone on in the last year,” McEachern said. “It has made our town the envy of many other towns.”
The vote to give the raises to Crosby and Miller were approved unanimously.
The salary for city attorney Miller was raised from $79,500 a year to $123,000, a $43,500, or 54 percent increase, which is in alignment with the pay for city attorneys in other cities the size of Yukon.
Miller is a retired Canadian County District Judge who had been serving as city attorney part-time.
McEachern said, “When he (Miller) first came to us he felt like this job would not be nearly as appalling as it has become and certainly, we have continued to avail ourselves of his services and overload him. Originally, we did not think this would be a full-time, permanent kind of position but it has become. He has taken over a number of functions that we had not previously anticipated. Since he is basically working full-time, we need to pay him correctly.”
The legal work over the coming years will require the city to need Miller, McEachern said.
The vote to give Miller a raise was also unanimous.
City councilwoman Shelli Selby said she saw some “concerned faces,” when the raise was announced.
Selby said, “He is going from part-time to full-time. That is the need for the salary. He is working a full-time job at a part-time salary and we thank you for your service,” Selby said.
After the meeting, Miller said, “I’m just absolutely thrilled at the city council’s decision this evening. There are a lot of things going on in Yukon and a lot more coming. I’m just glad to be a part of it.”
