The airport commission voted Thursday to approve the conditional salary package offer extended to new airport manager Jeff Wig.
Wig accepted the conditional employment offer made by the personnel committee Nov. 14.
Wig’s salary will start out at 95 percent and increase to the full employment package after a six-month probation period.
Commissioner Beth Pfingsten told the commission that the numbers used to determine Wig’s salary were based on the 2012 salary and benefits packages given to the Brainerd Police chief and Brainerd Fire chief.
Salaries for 2013 have not yet been negotiated, but Pfingsten said it is projected that salaries comparable to Wig’s will see a one percent increase next year.
Wig’s total personnel package, including benefits, totals $95,490 annually.
Pfingsten pointed out to the commission that at the rate offered by the airport, Wig is taking about a $10,000 a year pay cut from his current salary at Central Lakes College.
“That doesn’t happen often in this day and age,” Pfingsten said. “He is very anxious, excited and passionate about coming here.”
Wig’s projected start dates as the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport manager is set for Jan. 14, 2013.
SARAH NELSON KATZENBERGER may be reached at sarah.nelsonkatzenberger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5879.
Comments (5)
Add commentPublic servant?
Nothing against the new airport manager, I agree that he is the right person and good for him to be willing to move from one public sector job to another for less compensation.
What I have in question is how can one be considered a public servant with a compensation package more than twice the average compensation of those who pay the bill (taxpayer) ? I guess this is the "new normal" and must adjust accordingly.
Twice ??
The average compensation package - including benefits - for people who actually pay taxes is more than half of Wig's $95K package. Furthermore Wig's job responsibilities are "above average". Let's be fair.
Rep. to be, Joe Radinovich
makes $78K plus benifits from the union and will pull in another $31K plus per-dium representing them at the capitol.
Banned word
Public servant is on my list of banned words.
Now it just means if you work in the public sector.
As we know, most who work in the public sector get better
pay and better benefits.
The "new normal" is that the private sector jobs should be considered "public service". Well, truth is that is what runs
the country. The taxes paid by the private sector.
Public sector employess always say they too pay taxes, but don't seem to comprehend the difference.
Good choice
I think Jeff will do a good job and is a good match for the position. His salary and benefits at his previous position is
not important to the story. If this were the private sector
would that be part of the story? I don't know if it would or wouldn't.