City Manager Mark Vanderpool The Sterling Heights City Council narrowly approved a contract Tuesday by a vote of 4-3 for City Manager Mark Vanderpool that calls for a nearly $38,000 pay hike, raising his annual salary from $165,000 to $209,950. Councilman Michael Radtke, who opposed the raise, described it as almost a slap in the face to struggling residents. Their lives are on hold because of the pandemic, he said, according to Mark Hicks of The Detroit News. They are not able to make big ticket purchases. They are not able to go on and do the things they want to do. Mayor Pro Tem Liz Sierawski, who also voted no, said she believes Vanderpool deserved accolades and more pay, but this is not the time during the pandemic.
The Sterling Heights City Council approved a contract Tuesday for City Manager Mark Vanderpool that raises his pay nearly $38,000.
The hike of $37,950, from $165,000 to $202,950, puts Vanderpool on par with counterparts in similarly sized communities in Michigan, the mayor and some council members said.
They called him a visionary administrator who strengthened the city, attracting businesses and steering major developments. It s long overdue and I strongly believe that we are getting more than good value from Mark Vanderpool, Mayor Michael Taylor said before the 4-3 vote. … It s the right thing to make sure that we have steady leadership as we are on the precipice of some very important decisions in this city’s history.