Westfield has changed the way it will benefit its best employees financially. Deputy Mayor Todd Burtron said the new raise system is performance based.
“We’ve been working on it for several years,” he said. “Rather than across the board 3 percent raises, we’ve (department heads and officials) agreed to a performance management program that recognizes the top performing in a way that shows value to them.”
Burtron said the system was not a guarantee and is based on funds available. Each department has an amount it can use to reward its top performers. Burtron said the system includes a $2,000 cap of how much an individual can make and the payment in one-time and does not raise the annual salary of employees.
“We’re very excited about what this brings to our workforce,” he said.
Elected officials
Elected officials will continue to have a pay freeze for 2015. Burtron said 2015 will be the last year of a four-year voluntary pay freeze elected officials agreed to make. Mayor Andy Cook will make $108,200; Clerk Treasurer Cindy Gossard will earn $79,800 (with a $5,000 stipend); and each city councilor makes $15,000. Burtron said the employee contribution to the Publication Employee’s Retirement Fund will be paid for the mayor and clerk treasurer by the city.
