Sedona, Arizona – What are your plans for 2024?

It is Sedona’s vision that is boldly and truthfully stated in the video at the beginning of the city council meeting.

“A city that always pays attention to the beauty of nature, the scenic landscape, the unspoiled environment, and the preservation of cultural heritage. To be a city, energized by the arts and living with a spirit of volunteerism to achieve our common goals, a city that provides equal opportunities for all and fosters a sense of community. To be a city that welcomes and accepts all visitors and prospective residents in a spirit of friendship To maintain a strong and vibrant economy that maintains existing lifestyles without exploiting the beauty of nature To be a city that strengthens and strengthens. To be a city that meets the challenge of properly managing one of the Earth’s great treasures.”

Before proceeding with what may or may not be a surprise to Sedona residents due to the Freedom of Information Act,In 2021, Douglas Ducey worked in the Arizona Governor’s Office and earned $95,000 a year. According to public records. This salary is 20% higher than the Arizona Governor’s Office average and 36% higher than the median. (Phoenix has a population of her 1.6 million and pays the mayor $314,999 a year.)

As the City of Sedona prepares its 2024 budget, A review of the 2023 budget now shows that the average budget compensation for city employees is $106,174.(Sedona has a population of 9,684, down from the previous year.)

Here’s what we pay our City of Sedona employees:

City Manager Karen Osburn: $183,000. (unchanged from 2022)

Deputy Mayor Joan Keane: $161,850. (7.9% increase from 2022)

City Attorney Kurt Christianson: $155,235. (7% increase from 2022)

Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works J. Andy Dickie: $155,147. (7% increase from 2022)

Sherry White, Director of Financial Services: $153,422. (8.4% increase from 2022)

Police Chief Stephanie Foley: $135,200. (Foley succeeds Charles Husted, who retired last fall, and salaries for top jobs are down 2% overall from 2022.)

Magistrate Paul Schlegel: $125,008. (unchanged from 2022)

Community Development Director Steve Mertes: $125,000. (No change from 2022)

Criminal Prosecutor William Knish: $120,443. (8% increase from 2022)

Sewer Manager Roxanne Holland: $119,061. (up 9.6% from 2022)

Information Technology Manager Chuck Hardy: $117,830. (6.8% increase from 2022)

Sandra Phillips, Assistant Director of Public Works: $114,660. (up 4% from 2022)

Human Resources Manager Brenda Tamarin: $114,354. (up 7.6% from 2022)

Transit Manager Robert Webber: $110,850. (up 10.9% from 2022)

Engineering Supervisor Curtis Harris: $103,000. (vacant in 2022)

Police Lt. Karl Waak and Scott Martin: $103,000. (Up 13.2% from 2022. Martin is newly hired to replace retired Sergeant Michael Dominguez.)

Network engineers, unspecified staff: $102,615. (5.6% increase from 2022)

System administrators, unspecified staff: $102,614. (5.6% increase from 2022)

GIS analyst, unspecified staff: $102,014. (5% increase from 2022)

Additional benefits other than wages include, but not limited to Scope of coverage for health insurance, dental insurance, and eye insurance plus countless paid holidays. As provided in an ad seeking more City of Sedona employees.

And, dear readers, this is at work even during uncertain times when a recession is predicted for next year.

Impressive?

Suggestion: Reread your Vision Statement before making a decision.