McMinnville Approves Pay Raise For Administrator

McMinnville Aldermen approved a new contract Tuesday giving City Administrator Nolan Ming a raise, more severance, and a fleet car.

Mayor Ryle Chastain said the city conducted research and found that Ming was significantly underpaid when compared to other administrators in cities of similar size. Alderman Keri Morton said she felt the raise was a financial burden the city should not take on.

“We went from $904,000 last year in the hole until getting it in a much better position this year,” Morton said. “And it has nothing to do with the work or anything, mine is all about the money. And we cut some nonprofits, we did a lot of cutting.”

The initial proposal was to give Ming a raise from $128,000 per year to $160,000 and to raise his severance from six months to twelve. Aldermen amended the agreement to pay Ming $165,000 and allow for nine months’ severance.

“The general manager at MES makes more than $160,000,” Alderman Sally Brock said. “And she just manages the electric system… He manages the entire city.”

Chastain said Ming’s contract already allowed the city administrator to use a fleet car for official city business before. Chastain said Ming chose to decline the perk when the city was trying to save money a few years ago.

“I’m being perfectly honest, $160,000 still puts him below median pay for a position like this,” Chastain said.

Aldermen Steve Harvey and Keri Morton voted against the amendment and the approval of the new contract. Harvey said he agreed with nine months of severance but the city should not give Ming more money than what was initially asked for.

In other business, the board elected Harvey to continue serving as the city’s vice-mayor.