(Editor’s note: While the wages in the story in Wednesday’s Era were correct, the amount for the raises were not. The numbers were based on 2016 salaries. The correct story follows. See related column on page 7).

Wages for city employees for 2018 were approved on first reading at Tuesday’s council meeting, albeit reluctantly.

Mayor Tom Riel noted this is only the first reading of the wage ordinance, and it likely be different by the time it is finalized. The ordinance has to be approved twice.

Prior to the council meeting, Riel explained that wage negotiations are still in progress with the unions.

“It’s a work in progress; those wages will change,” Riel said.

He further noted that while he does not like giving raises to city employees when city officials are considering a tax increase, they have to agree to raises by law.

“We’re contractually bound to the union contracts to give raises to almost all city employees,” he explained.

Among the contractually bound employees are police officers, firefighters, city hall workers and Department of Public Works and parks, he said.

According to the wage ordinance approved on first reading, city administrator Teri Cannon will earn $70,216.30, an increase of $1,542.99.

Human resources director Valerie Figula will earn $35,281, an increase of $936; executive secretary Elaina Lucco will earn $35,097.97, an increase of $877.50. City solicitor Mark Hollenbeck will earn $53,987.80, an increase of $1,542.99.

City treasurer Karen Hector will earn $48,000, an increase of $2,000, the ordinance read.

In the city’s paid fire department, Chief Eric Taylor will earn $67,169.41, an increase of $1,672.99. Two captains will earn $60,078.69 and $59,728.69. Four lieutenants will earn from $58,608.69 to $57,478.69. The EMS coordinator will earn $59,728.69. Twelve full-time firefighters, either paramedics or EMTs, will earn from $56,338.69 to $36,742.09.

In the police department, Chief Chris Lucco will earn $70,063.41, an increase of $1,672.99. As the director of personnel and purchasing, Lucco will earn $28.48 an hour, according to the ordinance.

Assistant Chief Mike Ward will earn $63,801.68, an increase of $1,672.99. Lt. Steve Caskey will earn $64,751.68, while four sergeants will earn from $62,171.68 to $60,951.68.

Juvenile officer Mark Deluca will earn $61,331.68.

School resource officer Steve Green will earn $61,491.68, an increase of $1,672.99. School resource officer Tony Lama will garner $60,761.68. Ten patrol officers will earn between $58,561.68 and $41,797.47, the ordinance stated.

In the refuse division, nine full-time drivers/refuse collectors earn between $19.09 and $21.60 per hour. In the streets division, nine full-time CDL drivers earn between $19.97 and $22.25 per hour. City electrician Dan Tyger will earn $39,461.20, an increase of $936.

According to the wage ordinance, Chip Comilla, director of streets, refuse and parks, will earn a total of $70,478.80, an increase of $1,542.99. In the parks department, three laborers will earn from $14.82 to $21.41 an hour.

In the property maintenance department, the two officers will earn earn $37,861, an increase of $936. The property maintenance director, Jeff Andrews, will earn $11,000 in that position. He will also earn $55,867 from the Office of Economic and Community Development, where he is housing rehab director, construction manager and inspector and facilities manager. That is an increase of $1,363, the wage ordinance read.

Sara Andrews, executive director of the OECD, will garner $86,083, an increase of $2,100. Elm Street manager Lisa Keck will garner $47,263, an increase of $1,153. Economic and community development manager Anita Dolan will earn $38,821, an increase of $947. Main Street manager Chelsea Schwab will earn $36,604, an increase of $893.

Members of city council will earn a stipend as well. Mayor Tom Riel will earn $10,000, while the other council members will earn $5,000 each, according to the ordinance.

The second reading of the wage ordinance is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 26.

(Era reporter Ruth Bogdan contributed to this report.)