Posted: 2:56 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016

Middletown city manager getting $25,000 raise

By Ed Richter

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — 

Middletown City Council is expected to significantly raise the city manager’s salary at its meeting next week.

Mayor Larry Mulligan said council will amend its contract with City Manager Doug Adkins to raise his salary from $125,000 to $150,000 a year.

In addition, over the next four years, Adkins will receive annual increases of $5,000 along with additional contributions toward his Ohio Public Employee Retirement System retirement account. Mulligan said the other provisions of Adkins’ contract will remain the same.

RELATED: Perks contribute to salaries of Butler County’s highest paid administrators

Mulligan made the announcement via a news release on Wednesday.

“After reviewing the progress made over the last two years, council agreed that a new contract was needed,” Mulligan said. “In surveying compensation for city managers in the area and in similar-sized cities, it was apparent we were well-behind the median averages. Mr. Adkins’ progress and performance warrants an adjustment to reflect the value of the position and to recognize the contributions he has made to our progress. The future increases planned to provide assurances to Mr. Adkins and recognize his efforts. City Council will continue to periodically review performance and make adjustments as necessary.

Among the successes over the past two years that council and Mulligan cited were the new AK Steel Research and Innovation Center, NTE’s new $600 million natural gas fired power plant, the development of new apartments on Towne Boulevard, improvements of the Towne Mall Galleriaand the opening of new businesses downtown.

Council also cited the quality of life improvements such as fireworks on the Fourth of July, the establishment of the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area downtown, new downtown concerts, and improvements of the city’s appearance through beautification and code enforcement.

Crime, including serious crime and thefts, are also down, according to council.

MORE: Middletown wants to be All-American City in 2020

When Adkins applied for the position, he presented council with a five-year plan to return the city to sustainable revenues.

“… Two years in, he has done what he said he would do, and we look forward to finishing the five-year plan under his leadership,” Mulligan said.

RELATED: Middletown seeks ideas for future of downtown

Posted: 3:56 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016

Scarce opposition at meeting to Middletown city manager’s raise

By Ed Richter

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — 

Of the more than 100 commenters online and on social media reacting to news that Middletown’s city manager would be receiving a $25,000 raise, only three people attended Tuesday’s city council meeting, where the salary increase was introduced.

And only one resident spoke in opposition of the increase.

Mayor Lawrence Mulligan announced last week that council was in agreement to give City Manager Doug Adkins a $25,000 raiseas well future $5,000 annual raises over the next four years as part of a contract amendment. The salary increase would bump his annual salary up from $125,000 to $150,000.

During the citizen comments portion of the meeting, resident John Soppanish said while he thinks Adkins is doing a good job, he should have completed the current contract.

“My problem is that Mr. Adkins agreed to a five-year contract,” Soppanish said. “He’s doing a terrific job, but I say why are we amending a five-year contract? He agreed to it. Why don’t we wait until the five years are up then offer him the substantial raise you are offering him?”

He said the city’s infrastructure “is going down the river on a raft. You know it. I know it.”

“I believe myself that the contract should not be amended until it’s up,” Soppanish said. “This money should go to infrastructure, go to the police department or go to the firefighters. Give the man what is due to him after the five years are up. This town needs more of a facelift.”

COMMENTARY: Adkins right manager to lead Middletown

Mayor Larry Mulligan “clarified” some information about Adkins’ contract to the resident, saying the city manager signed to an intial two-year contract and this lays out the pay to his future compensation.

“I think there have been lot of merits and the great progress we’ve made,” Mulligan said. “We were in agreement in executive session that Mr. Adkins is deserving of this and it’s well earned and well deserved.”

The salary increase was introduced as an ordinance at Tuesday’s meeting and council is expected to approve the measure at its Sept. 6 meeting.

Council did approve Tuesday an emergency ordinance to pick up the employee contribution of Adkins’ contribution to the Ohio Personnel Employees Retirement System, which was another provision of the contract amendment.

History clearly shows that the fire, police and city hall salaries plus goodies have consumed the majority of our budget for years therefore we have not had the funds available for major improvements.
We have been told by numerous people over the years that this was not a sustainable practice.

All of this happened while jobs left our city and them boys at city hall started raiding funds and kicking the problem cans down the road.

Council has spoken and Adkins will get his $25,000 plus goodies.