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 only traitor in the White House in most recent history is gonna get convicted soon. That’s your boy the orange guy.
Oh, I can’t wait to see the pictures everybody’s walking with masks on please take them expose them… however, I don’t know how your gonna get a camera inside your crazy head because that’s the only place the images infect genius.
Los Angeles DA Opens Probe Into Allegations Hotels Hired Homeless Illegal Migrants
Be aware Sedona and AZ timeshares and hotels and restaurants and stores, that there are enough citizens and visa carrying residents here to fill every job if you don’t discriminate against us because of ageism and fact we know laws to not be overworked and underpaid. Quality workers are legal workers!
Many years ago while employed by a San Francisco developer of a new concept – living accommodations for 50+ individuals, it was common activity for the Feds to come around and check to find out whether or not construction workers were legal and if they didn’t have the required “green card” (as it was known back then) the company guilty of employing them was fined.
That same situation applied even when for a short time I was was employed by a company here in Sedona. Yep – back then “laws” mattered and were enforced!
Article submitted on June 3, 2023 – unpublished:
WHO DECIDES = THE POWER OF REGISTERED VOTERS
Based on the “weak” form of mayor opted for by voting residents of Sedona, during the initial days of incorporation the Mayor of Sedona was appointed by the council members. It was later when registered voters made the decision to follow necessary requirements in order to change the policy and allow Sedona citizens to decide who would serve as Mayor. Sedona continues to function under the “weak” form of mayor, meaning that the mayor, the same as the other six city council members, has just one vote. The main difference of a mayor versus others on the council is that the mayor determines the agendas and conducts city council meetings, signs important documents, represents the “city” at various events locally and elsewhere.
Considering the extensive time required to serve on the Sedona City Council, doesn’t it truly take special people who are willing to commit? Their primary function is to honor and serve the will of Sedona’s voting population. How difficult would that be during times when the “will of the people” is different than that of a city council member? When in a place of authority how difficult is it to go along with the will of the majority without acquiescing to the urge to follow your own instincts and support your own differing beliefs?
There most assuredly have been occasions when, indeed, the city council has gone against the desires of the majority and voted to serve, perhaps, special interests leaving questions and scratching heads relating to the integrity of our elected leaders. Decisions must be considered from a legal standpoint which, of course, is the purpose of having a City Attorney. A qualified person on board to advise our decision makers on a legitimate course of action has been and remains of major importance in keeping our leaders headed in the right direction. In the past there have also been questions relating to possible manipulations that strategically served to aid and abet outcomes that maybe in some opinions didn’t quite, as Judge Judy might say, “pass the smell test.” All legal mind you – but not without a few raised eyebrows.
However and back to the theme of this offering, most assuredly doesn’t anyone with the desire, will, tenacity, and generosity to participate in the capacity of serving on the city council deserve our gratitude and a special thanks for the time, effort, and frequent criticisms each and every one will most likely endure during the journey of their tenure?
But just as a final reminder to those seven “servants” of the community – your job is to follow the “will of the people” and no matter how difficult, to resist the temptation of taking the path of “Well, I know what’s best.” ~Amen
Yessir
I know what’s best but not going to do anything about it cuz golf and booze are my priorities and keep your kids out of my way.
councilors wet pants whrn residents wanna get involved save your breath
Great, now show me when and how many times this has happened? You love to throw out special interest groups a lot, but never show any proof? Why is that?
Quote:There most assuredly have been occasions when, indeed, the city council has gone against the desires of the majority and voted to serve, perhaps, special interests leaving questions and scratching heads relating to the integrity of our elected leaders
Well, now, Mr. West Sedona Dave. You want examples of city council “serving, perhaps, special interests leaving questions and scratching heads relating to the integrity of our elected leaders . . .” ?
How about starting but not necessarily ending with the questionable integrity of avoiding Requests for Proposals on the contract for destination marketing (which came about after the also questionable discretionary half percent bed tax decision)?. Can you deny that handing that contract to the members only of the regional – so called “Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Bureau of Tourism” was a fair and above board transaction?
P-U-L-E-E-S-E , how much divisiveness might have been avoided had proper procedure been the course of action?
And what about the most recent deceitful(?) activity? Might it just be the RFP’s now presently being pursued to acquire bids for “affordable housing” on the sacred land of the former Cultural Park? Wasn’t there another article on Sedona Eye explaining the circumstances for approval of that land exchange? That the property was to only be used for public community events? NEVER as a means for dense development. How about the vast acreage already owned by City of Sedona in the vicinity of the waste water treatment plant? Huh?
Karma lives. Don’t forget it, Mr. Wise Guy(s) who have maybe become accustomed to calling all the shots within the confines of Sedona City Hall? Just wondering . . .
Ok when was it the will of the people to have a transit system over and over and over again fail but cost us millions? When was it the will of the people to lose our freedoms being locked down by the city? When was it the will of the people to have rocks blown up to provide road space and fires started by and because of tourism? E. coli in Creek because of tourists and thousands of pounds of trash in our fragile ecosystem? And major fire in canyon started by tourists? Rest of you have at it, this moron makes us want to puke for stupidity.
Sedona needs supportive taxpayers!
Ideas for VOC sidewalks and Sedona city sidewalks exclusively for golf carts and non motorized bikes, personally electric bikes that go under 20 mph on sidewalks encourages people to use bikes and carts for short trips without autos, VOCA has good usable areas. It’s too hot and cold most months, however bundling up for a brisk winter walk or bike ride or trip to store in golf cart in blistering heat when it’s too hot to walk is doable. Best is to have a golf cart food and grocery delivery business in town and let private enterprise make money and employ people as necessary instead of government getting involved. PS-Enjoy Sedona Eye Eddie for amazing views like Sedona.
spot on points
What’s behind change? CHANGE.
In California a pet can be your witness at weddings..like the guy on TMZ said today …it’s time to vote Republican.. because influencers suddenly vent its insensitive to take ice plunges or baths….hold on its coming….because of the people who died on the Titanic. Questions for those people are 1) what year did Titanic sink and 2) into what ocean? Can’t answer those two questions then STFU.
I’m voting Republican.
need higher taxes pay fair share
@elilt village lmao #walkaway
So not one come up with a special interest group? Some nice allegations..
So the usual complaints about destination marketing? Well you should be happy now, they brought it in house, added 2 more employees with that be the next bitch? Fair pay, healthcare, and retirement? and two more city employees?
The clown about the bus? what a bus manufacturer gets a kickback? Oh we dont have traffic problems, or do have problems with traffic? The city is supposed to fix problems, traffic isnt a problem? Just another big mouth that complains about everything and dosent even have an idea to fix it!
You people are out of your mind, and basic government 101 your lost in your ignorance and hate…..Move to Cottonwood maybe? Darn they have a bus system…Your homes are now worth 3 times more, so move and get off my lawn Mr, and Miss geriatric patient!
If you cant find a link to a special interest group, just stop your embarrassing yourself!
@west Sedona Dave. Why do you always kiss ass of city, you get kickbacks or benefits or privileges we don’t get from city because your genuflecting to city oversight tops even intelligent insanity.
@West Sedona Dave – yes Mr. WSD – we happen to believe that for the city to bring their destination marketing and other Sedona advertising policies in-house is a much better plan than tossing millions of dollars to advertise most likely more outside city business establishments than those legitimate Sedona city tax providers within the incorporated area. DUH!
Let the C of C do its own thing!!! That’s how it was prior to when Sedona became a friggin city. Why do you think there are Sedona City Limits signs posted on the three entries to our incorporated area????
@westsedonadave WHATTTTTTSSSSSUUURRRPOOINTTTT
Government wants to give ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS $450K each. Where’s my senior citizen check and my kids checks and my grandkids checks because every single one of us worked to make that money and pay the taxes you’re incompetently giving away rather than pay debts.
@dave
That special interest group telling city is called Residents.
@sandyvoc ditto
Raqi here they follow California fails keeps from having to clean up there own (deleted)
“That special interest group telling city is called Residents.” @Lenore Layton @dave
IMO wishful thinking. We should be so lucky.
Eli Village, over the weekend thousands of pro-Palestinian pro Hamas protesters shut down the Brooklyn Bridge in one of many demonstrations made against Israel while Sedona stays silent, wait until they close down 89a or 179 or 40 or 10 or canyon bridge, if not those terrorists then there will be others for sheeples
well said
City spent tax $$ crave control/power
shout outs
It has come to light that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has had 40 informants inside the Biden family over the past 15 years.
For 15 years, Credible Informants have been providing criminal information against the Biden’s to FBI Field Offices across the country, and for 15 years, everytime the information has been brought to FBI HQ, the leadership of the FBI shuts it down.
But it’s not just the FBI, it’s the Department of Justice as well.
Heard that sworn witness testimony that the Biden Bribery allegations on the FD-1023 Form were CREDIBLE, and that he referred the criminal matters originating from it to three separate U.S. Attorney’s offices in Brookly, Manhattan and Delaware for further investigation.
Then, just like at the FBI, nothing happened.
STOP ALLOWING PEOPLE TO CROSS SR179 AT TLAQUEPAQUE.
That should be considered a travesty to the founder and developer of the original Tlaquepaque, Abe Miller. It’s shameful to his memory to continue such unwarranted disrespect of a wonderful individual who most assuredly deserves better.
If City of Sedona doesn’t put an end to the nonsense (of course not – they allowed it in the first place) then what the heck is wrong with ADOT?
Year 2024 – stop pedestrian crossing and arrest and/or fine people that continue to do so. Good source of revenue for the city??
Get petition to stop pedestrian crossing to Tlaquepaque North! Easy to do and present it at council meetings! Label it STOP ENVIRONMENTAL HARM TO SEDONA! Everybody signs that shi* and get tourists to sign it too!
Southern Sedona Bland
NOBODY comes to Sedona except tourists Lmao
Didn’t someone recently ask for an example of city giving out special favors? WOW if that idiotic crossing doesn’t make the point then what will?
To allow disruption of miles of backed up traffic – in particular inconveniencing emergency vehicles thus enhancing dangerous situations – merely in order to accommodate the owner of a Sedona business complex surely has to be the best case scenario?!?!?!!
And the “under-the road” nonsense? Ha! Waste of time and money. Wait, watch and see – unless possibly strict enforcement of illegal crossing becomes part of the package = an additional expense for the “City” of Sedona?
Any bets?
Hmmm . . . wonder if the owner of those “two” complexes is still married to a former city employee??!!
history is made today or tomorrow wtf
You suggesting undue influence at the expense of residents?
As a long time resident here I recall that property as always having commercial businesses, but NONE were linked with Tlaquepaque. There was NEVER a traffic backup and the businesses survived . . and then came Tlaquepaque North . . and everything went upside down.
Wasn’t it brought up as an example of really bad city decisions . . you know the kind that favors certain businesses and people with special privileges?
Yea.
In this case special favors result in miles and miles of backed up smog-creating and lung- suffocating traffic jams to accommodate a few potential customers for that special business to acquire profits? You know.
Yea.
Just thinking out loud..
@Norm also tired of the unfilled promises and lies the Biden Administration, Arizona state government and City spews. But don’t lose hope in America and go ahead and throw the Dems and their Hamas loving Nazis out of power by voting to restore America to her shining examples of fairness and justice and we can do that here if we have soul and spines.
Norm, that’s right, Tlaquepaque north sucks for traffic, takes guts to say it to power. Let north Tlaquepaque stand on its merits and like that Sedona chicken it’ll cross 179 if the other side has something better, meaning a traffic light a few feet north at the Y or the roundabout.
So Dems are hamas loving nazis???? You should open your mind sheepie and stop
Regurgitating far right talking points… you’re part of the main problem sheepie..
yes and yes
Why is it that when presented with an issue, you choose to name call? Were you educated in how to make the best use of your brain?
“The Democrat Party has a problem, and it’s affecting the entirety of the United States. They have a Hamas wing in the Democrat Party… [Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib] is one of them. She is heralded all across the Middle East by not just Palestinians, but the most radical terrorists in the Middle East and she’s proud of it.” – Mark Levin
Radical Leftist Rashida Tlaib SUPPORTS the terrorists. No American can stand by and allow a Member of Congress to support terrorism! NO MATTER WHAT PARTY. It is a problem and those who support murderers and terrorists have no place in America. Have a backbone!
The Democrats think you’re a sucker and you keep proving you are. LMAO
have nice day
The Republicans hate free and fair elections And when they don’t win, they cry like a baby and try to overthrow the government..
@Fair
Democrats trying to overthrow government with creating a 51st state that NEVER has voted for anyone not black or woke. Clinton Democrats created the Russia Hoax and framed innocent people, while Hillary has a terrorist’s daughter as her best bed bud and that California politician who exposed our intelligence to Chinese bed bud spy. Democrats are owned and funded by crypto guy to the tune of untraceable billions and a Hungarian Nazi and a Russian Putin and checks are delivered straight to you know who for you know what bought elections. Obama brought blacks Islam so they could be controlled, because Christians and Jews are independent thinkers and doers. When you see green it’s cash, and you ain’t getting any share of it. What you’re getting is IRS agents to scrutinize and determine your taxes, and goodbye lawyers and accountants. LMAO The newest Democrat plan is to eliminate real estate purchases not vetted by a government agency who will assign property values and approve purchasers and sellers. Sound familiar? It’s how property is owned and controlled by Russia and China and places like Iran. You don’t get to make more profit than the government allows, and if you’re not acceptable you can’t buy or sell. Simple.
I’ll stick with capitalism every single day.
Just for a moment, how about another “maybe – wish for” thought for year 2024.
How long has it been since guys – fellows – gents – male chauvinists? – have trended for facial hair? Why is that when it grows wild on so many other parts of their bodies?
Does anyone else out there appreciate the clean shaven look of the maybe not-so-stylish “in” look of hairy mouths, frequently adorned with food particles trapped in overgrown fuzz? What’s so attractive about that? You must have leftover covid masks shoved in a drawer and wear one if you must have a long beard or long mustache.
How nice it would be to look forward to the clean shaven well groomed appearance of what is beginning to seem like a lifetime ago.
2024 NEW FAD – MEN CLEAN UP THEIR FACES! YES! Happy faces for everyone!