SHEPHERDSVILLE – Trying to get the framework of better government in place, mayor Jose Cubero was looking to fill out his team with some quality performers.
In order to do that, he learned that changes to the city’s personnel and pay rate classification plan must be amended.
Throwing the prior ordinances out, city attorney Katherine Dozier went through the laborious task of tweaking what had been put into place.
The Shepherdsville City Council must approve the second readings to both repeal prior ordinances and to invoke a new one.
Cubero said one thing that the council wanted in the pay range was to have a starting salary of $18.03 per hour, no matter whether it is full-time or part-time.
Another area of discussion in January was the position of economic development, parks and recreation administrator and city attorney.
With Cortney Burden tabbed to become the economic development administrator, the pay range will now be $25-$45 per hour for the part-time position.
Cubero said she is the right person with the right contacts to go out and get business partnerships. He predicts she will more than pay for her salary.
The parks director has been a position in the budget for several years but has not been filled. With the plans at the city park, and the restoration of baseball, softball and basketball, he sees a need in the future for that position, which would be paid $55,000-$69,000 per year.
The change of the community planning and development coordinator will be that the starting pay will be $18.03 per hour with a maximum of $28 an hour. This is a position which will coordinate and market city events.
A human resource director will see a title change and the pay will range from $70,000-$94,000 a year. Currently, the position is unfilled and started at a pay rate of $33,280 a year.
Cubero said the city is large enough to need such a position.
And the city attorney’s position would no longer be an employee. Instead, it would be a contractor whose pay will not be included in the ordinance.
Cubero said that Dozier would be paid a retainer of $58,000 a year. Any work over 32 hours a month would be charged at $150 per hour.
The attorney went through and made changes to job descriptions and Cubero said he felt everything was in good order.
“I am very pleased with the employees that we have,” said Cubero. “They are doing an excellent job.”
He did not anticipate any changes being needed to the budget, which enters its final five months.
A vast majority of the city’s positions are handled through its civil service system. However, the city council approves the budget and the pay scales for all employees.
The final reading and possible passage of the ordinances is set for Monday, Feb. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the government center. The public is invited to attend.