The Bremen Town Council members reviewed the wage ordinance presented Monday afternoon.
The wage ordinance reflects an eight percent increase for all employees except for the Electric Department. The Electric Department employees received a generous wage increase earlier in the year.
The initial wage increase was three percent, but Bremen Council President Michael Leman asked the departments to look at their proposed budgets for 2023 to bump that increase another five percent. They were able to get that accomplished. The idea was to retain and attract employees to work for the Town of Bremen. As that was being conducted, the town was able to realize additional levy funds in the amount of about $100,000 which will take care of the wage increases in the 2023 budget.
There was public comment about the wage increases in that the employees are deserving of the eight percent increase and the council members agreed. In a previous meeting, several members of the public were in support of the increases, specifically for the Bremen Police Department officers.
The Bremen Town Council members took action to approve the first reading of the wage ordinance as it was presented.