administrative pay increase averages 3.56%. The additional pay will cost $154,817 and the new rate started July 1.
Trustees will consider President Mark Watkins’ salary at a future meeting.
Doherty said the 7% faculty pay increase will cost $116,079.
The pay increases also include additional contributions by the college for retirement accounts, as well as other provisions.
CHETOPA — Chetopa City Council member Brenda Dominguez resigned her seat this week. She agreed to continue to help the city with its social media products.
In a letter to council members and later released to the public, Dominguez said she didn’t make the decision lightly. “And I deeply appreciate the honor of serving our community over the past year and half.”
She wrote that personal and family circumstances have evolved in a way that require her full attention now.
“I am profoundly grateful for the trust the community has placed in me and for the opportunity to contribute to Chetopa’s well-being,” she wrote.
Council members accepted her resignation.
Mayor Bob Boyd said there are three seats up for election in November and two candidates have filed for office. He suggested allowing Betsy Koontz, who has filed for election to the council, to fill Dominguez’ seat for now. The council agreed and Koontz sat in Dominguez’ chair the rest of the meeting.
In other matters, the council: Reviewed budget numbers and agreed to set the property tax levy at 73 mills for 2026, an increase of about 1.5 mills from this year.
Agreed to donate $200 to the Labette County Fair livestock premium sale.
Agreed to increase electrical, sanitation and sewer rates by 3% starting in August and water rates by 5% because of increasing costs.
