Horton contract debated by commissioners

“Don’t think we need to micro-manage our manager”

 

IMLAY CITY — The Imlay City commission was back at it Tuesday night, trying to hammer out what they hoped would be the final details of a new contract for City Manager Craig Horton. However, several snags were hit along the way in a somewhat contentious meeting when at least two commissioners questioned several points of a tentative agreement that had yet to be agreed to.

Last week’s meeting was the second special called by Mayor Barbara Yockey to try and resolve issues. She had appointed a three-person adhoc committee that presented a tentative agreement that stalled during numerous discussions.

Commissioner Joe DeLuca had researched several points in the proposed contract including a vehicle allowance where Horton had requested $600 a month, a $100 increase from his current contract. DeLuca proposed the decommissioning of a police vehicle and allowing Horton to use that, along with a city issued gas card. He also felt the city manager should keep a log of activity while using the vehicle.

Mayor Yockey pointed out the vehicle is 16 years old and “is not reliable.” She said she felt it was not safe for the manager to be driving to meetings.

DeLuca further questioned the employee contribution for health insurance, with other city employees paying 11% of their insurance. Horton had requested to lower the amount he would be paying to 0%. “Why should he be any different than the rest of our employees,” DeLuca asked. “I feel he should be paying, just like the others.”

Commissioner Al Ramirez agreed with much of what DeLuca stated while Commissioner Stu Davis wondered, “what’s wrong with taking the 11% out and offering him the changes?

DeLuca went on to question Paid Time Off (PTO) in the contract as well as stating, “he is wanting what I feel is a Cadillac pension. I don’t agree with it at all.”

Mayor Yockey reminded the commission, “think about what will happen if we substantially change this tentative agreement. I honestly don’t know if he stays or leaves. He could leave and then we pay a head hunter to get a new manager. I doubt we’d find one as good as Craig and with his experience. The past managers in Imlay City have not been as good as Craig is. He is doing a fantastic job, in my mind.”

The mayor added, “I don’t think we need to micro-manage our manager. He does a great job. If we offer him a different contract, with changes, we could very well lose him.”

After a full hour of discussion and debating the merits of the proposed contract, the mayor called for some sort of action.

“I have no interest in another meeting about this,” she said. “We have had many meetings, multiple, and yet, here we are. We need to get something done to give to him for consideration.”

Commissioner Tom Blount, a member of the adhoc committee said, “we are dogging this man with all these proposed changes. I too have zero interest in any more meetings. I am good with this contract, with a few changes that Commissioner DeLuca has mentioned. This is serious stuff folks. We could see him walk. But, I think he is a
team player and we’ll get something worked out.”

Blount then made a motion to agree to the contract proposal with three changes. #1, leave the vehicle allowance at $500. #2 require a 11% employee contribution towards health insurance cost and #3, the contract will end at the end of fiscal year 2029, on June 30. The motion passed on a 5-2 count with DeLuca and Ramirez voting no. Voting yes were Mayor Yockey, Mayor Pro-Tem Bob Tanis, Commissioner Blount, Commissioner Luke Stempien and Commissioner Stu Davis.

Following the conclusion of the regular meeting that followed the special meeting, Horton told the Tri-City Times, “we’ve still got some time. My contract is up at the end of next month. I want the commission to be comfortable with it.” He has been the city manager for Imlay City for five years. If he agrees to the contract as presented to him, Horton’s salary would be approximately $124,000 plus whatever benefits are agreed to.

Mayor Yockey met with Horton following the regular meeting to discuss the changes. There was no word if a decision was reached as of Tuesday evening.