DAVENPORT, Iowa — Davenport City Council is holding off on pay raise votes for two employees currently serving as interim city administrator and interim city attorney.
The decision at the Wednesday, Mar. 13 meeting came after almost two hours of public comment, where several community members voiced frustration and disapproval.
The two employees are Mallory Merritt and Brian Heyer. Merritt has been acting as interim city administrator while also serving as chief financial officer. Heyer has been acting as interim city attorney while also serving as assistant city attorney.
Merritt's new compensation would increase her salary and add $5,000 a month starting in May if she's still filling in. Meanwhile, Heyer would get a $50,000 bonus in May.
"Find out as much as we can, before any further decisions are made that are going to inevitably harm the taxpayers of the City of Davenport," one woman said.
People lined up in council chambers to speak about their concerns, including several former city leaders.
"What due diligence have you done as a council? When staff give you the paperwork, do you actually look at it?" former alderman Patrick Peacock asked.
Some city employees even threatened to make equal pay claims with the government. "I do three jobs, I don't ask for $50,000," one city worker said. "To have this come up — it's a slap in the face."
While the council unanimously voted to delay any decision making, 6th ward alderman Ben Jobgen said Merritt is doing a good job and that hiring a new employee for the interim role would be too costly.
"We gotta be careful what we wish for in a way, because the permanent city administrator position is gonna take a long time to fill," Jobgen said.
Newer council members like 4th ward alderman Jade Burkholder tried to reassure the community.
"I do want you guys to know, we do hear you, and we are doing our very best with what we got," Burkholder said.
City leaders also mentioned that progress is being made on choosing a consulting firm that will help find a new city administrator.
Both pay increase votes for Merritt and Heyer have been tabled until the council meeting on Apr. 3.
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