Aplington council approves employee raises

APLINGTON – The Aplington City Council unanimously approved wage increases for city employees as part of regular business at Aplington City Hall on May 11.

As part of discussion on the matter, the council reviewed different aspects of the jobs performed by city employees. The approved motion increases the salary of City Clerk Deb Prier to $52,000 annually; increases Aplington Police Chief’s Matt Lind’s salary to $60,000 annually; and confers a 6% wage increase to all other city employees.

Earlier in the meeting, Holly Harken and Erin Monroe provided an update from the pool committee, with Harken presenting a rough draft of two options for a new pool. Pool Tech will be updating the drafts in the next few weeks. The committee also reported that they will have a fundraiser during Aplington Days on June 7.

In public works matters, Jeff Ridder reported that the city will be replacing a fire hydrant, but with hydrants and curb stops in high demand, it could be six months before delivery. Ridder reported to the council that he will order to keep one on hand.

He also informed the council of a new DNR report that will be required after a revision to the EPA’s lead and copper rules in December 2021; all community water supplies must now develop a lead service line inventory, with the new report due in October.

In other business, the council:

- Approved building permits for Marvin Fertig, Tod Ubben and Nick Davis;

- Approved Scott Poppen for summer help in the parks and streets;

- Heard about upcoming interviews for the Assistant City Clerk position, with a package plan of wage and benefits to be offered;

- Held a brief discussion about selling a portion of city property where the old water tower is currently located;

- Heard regular reports from Alexis Karsjens, library director and Frances Krull, Aplington Ambulance chief.