Dunkirk council OKs 2022 raises

DUNKIRK — City employees will be getting a 2% raise in 2022.

At its meeting Monday, Dunkirk City Council approved next year’s salary ordinance, which included a pay increase for city employees.

“I didn’t figure we could afford a 3%, but I thought a 2% across the board we could probably do,” said clerk-treasurer Tina Elliott.

Council budgeted for a 2% raise for city employees for 2020 as well.

In other business, council members Tom Johnson, Bryan Jessup and Kevin Hamilton, absent Jesse Bivens and Christy Curts:

•Heard that the Sculpt Fitness 5K is scheduled for Saturday in downtown Dunkirk, with registration at 7 a.m. and the race beginning at 8 a.m.

•Learned Leeward Renewable Energy will have a public meeting at 6 p.m. July 19 at West Jay Community Center for residents to learn more about its plans for Jay County. Leeward is planning a solar facility to be constructed north of Dunkirk. (See related story.)

•Were invited, along with all city employees and their families, to a pool and pizza party at 6 p.m. July 25.

•Heard Mayor Jack Robbins commend the new park committee for the Independence Day celebration that took place in the city July 3.

•Sanctioned the Zack Hummer Memorial 3-on-3 tournament, which will take place Aug. 7 at Dunkirk City Park.

•Approved payments of $13,192 to Peerless Midwest for repairs to a pump at the water department, $10,900 to K & L Tractor Sales for a lawnmower for the sewage department, $5,400 to Pinebrook for installation of new playground equipment, $1,498.05 to Bill Gaddis Chrysler for repairs to the police department’s 2015 Dodge Durango and $874 to Spear Corporation for training on pool equipment.

•Paid claims of $19,100.51.

•At its Monday meeting, Dunkirk Board of Works and Public Safety approved payments of $707.35 to Staples for water report letters, $694.50 to Unistrut for equipment to hang banners on the light poles downtown and $500 to Hurst Technical Services for annual calibrations at the water department.