An item on tonight’s Ferndale City Council agenda was whether or not to grant Ferndale Mayor Jon Mutchler’s request for health benefits for himself and his family.
City Administrator opened the discussion with an overview of answers to the questions he had received from councilmembers since the Finance & Administration Committee meeting where the request was first heard.
Mutchler pointed out there was the precedent when then-Mayor Gary Jensen’s salary was increased by council. Councilmember Olson acknowledged that, stating the city was in disarray as a result of previous mayor and required a full-time involved mayor to fix things.
City Finance Director Mark Peterson said that after one month of 2016, the city budget is ahead by $28,000 as a result of cheaper-than-expected asset insurance costs.
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Click for more informationCouncilmembers Goodrich and Taylor asked about what standards exist for defining eligibility. Councilmember Bersch pointed out the timing seemed wrong. Councilmember Taylor moved to create a committee to further consider the matter. There was no second.
A rare overflow crowd was in attendance. Several in attendance spoke during the public comment segment of this agenda item. All but one of those voiced opposition to the Mayor’s request. Most cited the part-time status of the position, the timing (asking in the first month of being in office) and knowing the compensation for the position when running for it.
Following public comment, Councilmember Goodrich moved to deny the request. That was seconded by Councilmember Bersch. The motion passed unanimously.