SedonaEye.com columnist Eddie S. Maddock on Sedona city employees salary and additional compensation packages budgeted for 2024.
Sedona AZ – WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2024?
Boldly and sincerely stated in a video at the opening of City Council meetings is Sedona’s Vision:
“To be a city that is constantly vigilant over the preservation of its natural beauty, scenic vistas, pristine environment and cultural heritage. To be a city that retains its small-town character and creates its manmade improvements in strict harmony with nature. To be a city that is animated by the arts, and lives with a spirit of volunteerism to help achieve our common goals. To be a city that offers equal opportunities for all and fosters a sense of community. To be a city that welcomes and accommodates all of its visitors and future residents with a spirit of fellowship. To be a city that retains and enhances a strong and vital economy which preserves existing lifestyles without exploiting the natural beauty. To be a city that lives up to the challenge of proper stewardship of one of the earth’s great treasures.”
Before proceeding with what may or may not be a surprise to Sedona residents via a Freedom of Information Act, “Douglas Ducey in 2021 was employed in Arizona Governor’s Office and had annual salary of $95,000 according to public records. This salary is 20% higher than average and 36% higher than median salary in Arizona Governor’s Office.” (Phoenix has a population of 1.6 million and pays its City Manager $314,999 annually.)
With the city of Sedona gearing up to prepare its fiscal year 2024 budget, a review of the 2023 budget shows that average budgeted compensation for a city employee is presently $106,174. (Population of Sedona is 9,684 – a decrease from previous years.)
Here is what we pay Sedona city employees:
City Manager Karen Osburn: $183,000. (No change from 2022.)
Deputy City Manager Joanne Keene: $161,850. (A 7.9% increase from 2022.)
City Attorney Kurt Christianson: $155,235. (A 7% increase from 2022.)
Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works J. Andy Dickey: $155,147. (A 7% increase from 2022.)
Director of Financial Services Cherie White: $153,422. (An 8.4% increase from 2022.)
Chief of Police Stephanie Foley: $135,200. (Foley replaced Charles Husted, who retired last fall; the chief position’s salary is an overall 2% decrease from 2022.)
Magistrate Judge Paul Schlegel: $125,008. (No change from 2022.)
Director of Community Development Steve Mertes: $125,000. (No change from 2022.)
Criminal Prosecutor William Kunisch: $120,443. (An 8% increase from 2022.)
Director of Wastewater Roxanne Holland: $119,061. (A 9.6% increase from 2022.)
Information Technology Manager Chuck Hardy: $117,830. (A 6.8% increase from 2022.)
Assistant Director of Public Works Sandra Phillips: $114,660. (A 4% increase from 2022.)
Human Resources Manager Brenda Tammarine: $114,354. (A 7.6% increase from 2022.)
Transit Administrator Robert Weber: $110,850. (A 10.9% increase from 2022.)
Engineering Supervisor Kurtis Harris: $103,000. (Position vacant in 2022.)
Police Lts. Karl Waak and Scott Martin: $103,000. (A 13.2% increase from 2022. Martin is a new hire, replacing the retiring Sgt. Michael Dominguez.)
Network Engineer, unspecified staff: $102,615. (A 5.6% increase from 2022.)
System Administrator, unspecified staff: $102,614. (A 5.6% increase from 2022.)
GIS Analyst, unspecified staff: $102,014. (A 5% increase from 2022.)
Additional benefits over and above wages include, but are not limited to health, dental, and vision insurance coverage plus countless hours of paid time-off; as offered in ads seeking even more City of Sedona employees.
And this, dear readers, is active even during the uncertainty of a predicted economic recession next year.
Impressive?
Suggestion: Reread the “Vision Statement” and then decide.
The pink-haired wokers are already circling D.C.—and if the Democrats take back Congress in 2026, we’ll be in a heap of trouble. They are chasing us hard to make sure we don’t stand a chance, but with your help, we can stop them.
We’re talking gas stove bans, drag shows in kindergarten, a Southern Border that’s got more holes than Swiss cheese, and a lunacy like we have never seen before. It’s not parody—it’s the plan. – Sen. John Kennedy
start with SE
Most def
Eddie, remember when Lesley Stahl had to give up a half million dollars to bring on Katie toward paying Couric’s salary? Big shots Democrats shout anti Jew sentiments cuz stahl a diversity hire like Asian Chung wife of Jewish tv show guy? call it lmao racist Democrats then & now same breed same stripes what’s Katie paycheck giving up for her replacement?
Paranoid much
Received this and wanted to share with readers about a magnificent black lady working for the folks:
(Begin email share)
History’s greatest RACISTS are turning over in their graves.
Think about how far we’ve come since Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech: In 2021, a black woman became the second in command in the former capital of the Confederacy.
What shocks the Democrats the most about my story… I’m a REPUBLICAN!
My name is Winsome Earle-Sears. I’m a wife, mother, immigrant, Marine, conservative, and currently the Lt. Governor of Virginia.
For far too long, people who look like me have been made to think that the thing we all strive for – the American Dream – is unattainable and unavailable to us.
My existence is living proof that this dream is a possibility for every single person, regardless of gender, race, or religion.
Now, I won’t say that it comes easy – there were struggles along the way…
But the ONLY place where my story is possible is America.
With a little hard work, the sky is the limit – no matter what those on the Left try to tell us.
Please, chip in to help me continue to shatter narratives and become Governor.
Let’s show the liberals that my American Dream isn’t over yet!
Thank you,
Winsome Earle-Sears
State of Virginia (end email)
I’d suggest you Google her and if you like what she says, it’s a great idea to put your money where it counts. Time to get rid of the corrupt one party rulers who hate the people. Leave the Ds and run to the Rs.
Appreciate Trump administration releasing JFK files from the grips of FBI and intelligence agencies. Kept his promise and we need to see them out here for review.
Duh
That is a distraction. How about the Epstein files he promised.
The governor Of California finally said it plainly outright. They’re gonna withhold their money from the federal government since they contribute way more than I get back…. All the excess goes to welfare states like Arizona.. you should change your name to tin cup Arizona…. How you gonna close your budget gap now smart ass Trumpers
Go back to California undereducated lunatics
You (deleted by editor) wasting lives being Trump haters are idiots bc that man’s done more for our best lives than your jackals ever did or ever could bc youre liars and cheats and thieves on our dimes. Failures and fools are Dems led by same.
Liars and cheats you talking about yourself, there pal… by by the way… I don’t hate Trump, but I see him for what he’s worth it’s all about him and you ignorant and un educated followers who he doesn’t give a shit about… unless of course you’re a billionaire… I know the truth hurts …..
Only lunatic defend Cal Gov who’s stupider than Kamala if possible.
He gets unlimited tax coffers and keeps itfor laundry and pro trans movie making for preschoolers using it to keep homeless & criminals shitting and shooting black flies on streets to keep good people off them.
Works for him every election eh?
(Offsite link) https://youtube.com/shorts/7HTgWScHlHI?si=MWKRUdBB4XC6MBPe
(Offsite link)
bro Obama & pals & Clinton circle jerks shaken in boots by Epstein names, orange man investigated with nothing there cuz Bidey Boy admin would’ve leaked for their media attack dogs
(Offsite link) https://youtube.com/shorts/e8SnHK9vIpE?si=OCqXVRW0jFG5jLRS (offsite link)
OVER 50% of Democrats and Republicans polled say crime’s out of control and needs action – majority in this country believes that = same words what Trump expressed. Stop watching tv stations feeding us pap from dried up prunes Elizabeth Warren, AOC, Gavin Da Goon, Hakeem, Jasmins, Zombines, Kamala Vapids, Walzers Donut queens, Nancies, Psaki Pucks, radical politicians —– effing Chicago mayor’s 6% approval rating WAS GIVEN BY POLLED DEMOCRATS. SIX percent STFU
Yea yea Jack
California woke, California broke. Connect the dots morons.
1/3 of Arizona land is owned by the tribes
1/3 of Arizona is owned by the federal government
1/3 of Arizona pays more taxes per person than Californians. CA owes us. We owe them NADA. CA thank Az from rescuing its asses with affordable homes, better performing school districts, done without government intervention. Sedona Council stay out of Sedona housing markets because you’re unqualified.
(offsite link) https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/homeless/article311878950.html (offsite link)
Did ya see that California town go fiscally red?
Sedona developers and politicians need to get smart.
Sedona 2 counties and city don’t factor in commonsense like transit. Homeless need to go south in winters and usummers where the medical facilities with food services and public transportation and sanitation facilities our AZ tax dollars paid for get used. Send social workers down where they should be and hire that Sacramento guy.
If it wasn’t for California,… Arizona would be broke. You should thank them and kiss their ass. You’re a welfare state Arizona.
1/3 a California is owned by the federal government!!! Cry me a river… Tin cup Arizona… Lies more lies