Libby council votes on employee raises

The Libby City Council at Monday’s meeting granted all city employees a 1.5-percent cost of living increase and the standard 1-percent longevity rate. 

“I think it’s fair due to economic times,” councilmember Bill Bischoff said after Mayor Doug Roll expressed that he wished the city could grant employees a larger raise.

The council approved the increase on 4-0 vote. Lee Bothman was absent and Walter McElmurry abstained since he is a city employee.

County commissioners last week chose to freeze their wages this fiscal year, and Libby City Council followed suit, though they recognized that it was only a symbolic act. A 1.5-percent raise for elected city officials would amount to less than $500.

“But it sets a good example,” Bischoff noted at the meeting.

In other news at Monday’s meeting:

• Roll anticipates the city scheduling interviews with city administrator candidates as early as next week. The chosen applicant will replace Dan Thede, supervisor of city services, who is retiring Sept. 1. 

• The deadline to apply for the chief of police position is Friday at 5 p.m. and as of Wednesday afternoon, Roll hadn’t seen any applications.

• The council voted 5-0 to set the Cabinet Heights sewer hook-up charge at $500.

• The council voted 5-0 that if awarded a Department of Natural Resources and Conservation grant, it would use Economic Development funds to front the money because the city will not be able to draw on the DNRC funds until any proposed project is complete.