Council approves raises 

by Melissa Martin 

All nonunion full-time city workers, along with their union counterparts in the police and fire departments, received 3.5% raises in December. Those increases, which also include raises for city department heads, will cost the city approximately $345,000 this year. 

Accordingly, Finance Director Laura Starosta will earn $133,515; Fire Chief Mark Bender will earn $122,130; Police Chief Stanton Korinek will earn $119,592; Building Commissioner Scott Packard will earn $118,917; and Service Director Joe Kickel will earn $117,110. Human Services Director Steve Paciorek will earn $111,999; Purchasing Director Monica Bartkiewicz will earn $111,263; and Recreation Director Rachele Engle will earn $109,803. 

Mayor Daryl Kingston also received a 2% raise, in accordance with an ordinance council approved in 2022 prior to Kingston’s 2023 election. The mayor’s salary rose by 3% when Kingston first took office in January 2024 and his salary will increase by 2% each year through 2027. He currently earns $122,910 a year. 

Council members, who earn $16,500 annually – except for President Dominic Caruso, whose salary is $18,500 – received no raises this year. 

recksville

As for union employees, Brecksville’s patrol officers will be paid between $71,414 and $94,041 depending on experience, while police sergeants will be paid $106,267.