COLDWATER, MI — City council members went into closed session Monday night to evaluate two key employees and awarded them 4% pay hikes for the current 2026-27 fiscal year.
City Manager Keith Baker and city attorney Amanda O’Boyle’s new annual salaries are now $156,395 after a 3% raises last year.
Over the last five months, a couple of social media posts attacked both of them, claiming they did poor work and were overpaid.
Some attacks were vitriolic, while others defended them.
As has been the past practice for city managers, Baker requested a closed session for his evaluation to allow frank discussion between the council and management.
After more than half an hour in a closed conference room, councilman and former city manager Jeff Budd made a motion “To give Keith a favorable evaluation from the City Council and proposed a 4% increase.” The vote was unanimous.
Budd said the council recommended a 3.5% increase in 2027 and 3% in 2028, but added that those decisions would be made following future evaluations.
Baker’s salary is in line with others in the area, according to data from the Michigan Municipal League.
The MML’s actual survey of individual salaries is confidential and available to members, including elected city officials and administrators.
The Sturgis City Council just hired a temporary city manager while it searches for a replacement following Andrew Kuk’s resignation.
Former Litchfield City Manager Douglas Terry’s pay was set at $170,000 until a permanent Sturgis hire is made.
Public records show that Marshall City Manager Derek Perry was paid $141,001 in 2023, which was slightly higher than Baker’s.
Hillsdale City Manager Dave Mackie is paid $90,360 as manager, but that is only part-time. He also serves as Hillsdale Utility Director, with a total salary of $225,902.
The Coldwater social media posts claimed elected officials were overpaid and taking large salaries for their work.
Mayor Tom Kramer put on record, “The city council is compensated $160 a month that has not been increased in over 20 years…and there’s no plan to do so.”
Contact Don Reid, dReid@USATodayCo.Com
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: With good evaluations, Coldwater’s manager, lawyer received raises
Reporting by Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter / Coldwater Daily Reporter
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By Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter | USA TODAY Network
