Raises approved

City employees will receive a 2% raise next year.

Portland City Council approved the raises as part of the 2026 payroll ordinance during its meeting Monday.

The council also heard from Jay County Solid Waste Management director George McGinnis regarding issues at recycling trailers in the city.

Clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips presented the payroll ordinance with 2% raises across the board. She had told council members at their previous meeting that she and Mayor Jeff Westlake had discussed the issue and planned to introduce the 2% proposal Monday. 

The wage increases, as proposed, would represent a total increase of $95,672.

Phillips talked about the uncertainties of the impact of Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA 1) and any potential changes the state legislature might make in the next few years. (The measure passed during the 2025 session had estimates that the city would receive a total of $814,740 less in tax revenue — that includes $142,330 less in 2026 — over a three-year period than it would have previously.)

Westlake told council members he’d like to see numbers on a 4% raise (it would total $191,344) and later advocated for a 5% raise ($239,180), referring at one point to concern over the impact of SEA 1 as “fear-mongering.” He also asked for consideration of time and a half pay for holidays.

Council member Ashley Hilfiker asked Westlake why he had not brought up the 4% and 5% raise proposals earlier.

Council members Ron May and Dave Golden agreed with Phillips’ assessment, with May saying he’d prefer to see what happens with SEA 1. Golden noted that the city has given raises of 6%, 4.5% and 5% over the previous three years and that department heads have been asked to cut their budgets by 10% because of financial uncertainties.

The trend with raises seems to be 2%, council member Matt Goldsworthy said, adding that some municipalities have settled on a one-time stipend for 2026.

“Unfortunately, it’s a lot of unknown,” said Goldsworthy. “That’s the problem with SB 1; none of us really know. And the worst thing I would want any of our department heads to have to do is go and start laying off people.”

He said the council can always return next year and give a larger raise if the financial outlook turns out better than expected.

Hilfiker concurred, saying she’d “rather be safe than sorry.”

Council president Kent McClung, who attended the meeting virtually, made a motion to approve the payroll ordinance with 2% raises across the board, as presented. The motion passed 6-1 with Michele Brewster, Mike Aker, Goldsworthy, Golden, Hilfiker and McClung in favor and May dissenting. (May had indicated that he would not vote for a raise for council members.)

McGinnis asked the city for help in addressing a problem involving residents leaving non-recyclable items in and around recycling trailers stationed at Jay County Sheriff’s Office and the parking lot at 220 Lincoln St. (He raised similar concerns in August 2023.) He expressed frustration that a county ordinance regarding illegal dumping — it is prohibited to place non-recyclables in recycling trailers provided by Jay County Solid Waste Management District and it is forbidden to leave recyclable and non-recyclable items (specifically trash) outside the trailers — that was passed in 2022 is not being enforced.

The county’s ordinance lists newspapers, newsprint, magazines, books, office paper, cardboard, paper packaging, aluminum and glass beverage and food containers, number 1 and number 2 plastic containers and tin and steel food containers as recyclable materials.

McGinnis noted that all county residents can take items to the landfill twice at year at no charge. 

The city’s ordinance allows residents to purchase a permit to have large items such as couches, chairs and mattresses to be picked up on regular trash collection routes.

Council members expressed a willingness to help but took no specific action.

In other business:

•Council approved a moratorium on data centers on second reading.

•A public hearing on a moratorium on carbon sequestration facilities has been set for 6:15 p.m. Monday, July 21, in council chambers.

•No action was taken on a proposed ordinance regarding outside employment. Several council members indicated they were not clear as to why the ordinance was being proposed. It died on the table after a brief discussion.

•Phillips issued a reminder that the city’s public hearing on its 2026 budget is planned for Sept. 15 with adoption to follow on Oct. 6.

•Golden and Hilfiker complimented the Jay County Fair Board on this year’s Jay County Fair, which concluded Saturday. Westlake noted that the Vintage Motor Bike Show is at the fairgrounds today through Saturday.

•Council sent a tax abatement request from Pioneer Equipment Leasing to the city’s tax abatement advisory committee. The company is requesting a three-year abatement on $3.5 million in new equipment. The abatement would save the company $91,087 while the new equipment would generate $91,087 in taxes over a 10-year period.

•Goldsworthy touted the disc golf course at Hudson Family Park, encouraging residents to try it out. He also passed on thanks from a resident to police officer Mitch Rigby for his handling of a recent traffic accident.

•May requested that council conduct an executive session to discuss personnel issues.

•Council approved closing Ship Street between Arch and High streets from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 10, and noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 31, for events at Jay County Public Library.

•Jay County Development Corporation executive director Ceann Bales provided an update on her first three months on the job. She said she has been meeting with local business and industry leaders regarding what they want from JCDC and mentioned various other initiatives she has been working on. She mentioned updating the organization’s website and marketing properties as priorities.

•Aker noted that a problem area on Western Avenue between High and Arch streets has been paved.

•May asked about street lights on Blaine Pike, indicating he feels there are not enough along the multi-purpose trail.

•Westlake noted that work is continuing on the Seventh Street bridge over the Salamonie River.

•May shared condolences for the death of Westlake’s mother on June 16.