Meadowlakes rewards long-term employee
During Monday’s council meeting, they put their money where their mouths are.
The council approved a $6,800 pay raise for Thompson effective Jan. 1.
The raise came on the heels of a job performance review by Mayor John Aaron. The mayor applauded Thompson’s leadership and management abilities during the past 18 months — highlighting the last 10 months, which included the purchase of the Hidden Falls Country Club.
“It’s amazing what a great employee we have in Johnnie Thompson,” Aaron said. “He certainly deserves an outstanding job evaluation.”
The city administrator’s last pay raise came 14-15 months ago, the mayor said.
Thompson is the longest serving employee in Meadowlakes. He was hired in 1978 as the first full-time employee for the municipal utility district and was the only Meadowlakes MUD employee for 10 years before a second was added. No city agency existed at the time.
Thompson has been involved with Meadowlakes since there were only three dozens homes and mostly dirt roads. Today the city boasts more than 800 homes.
“Given what he’s accomplished and what he means to us, I would recommend that you consider (a raise) in the neighborhood of 8 to 10 percent,” Aaron said to the council members.
Typically, merit raises for city employees of Thompson’s level falls between 4 and 5 percent, the mayor said.
Council member Laird Landis recommended the raise of $6,800, taking Thompson’s salary from $78,200 to $85,000.
The council unanimously approved the raise.
In other business, the council reaffirmed its commitment to the Hidden Falls Country Club restaurant by approving the hiring and job descriptions of a food and beverage manager and chef. The city purchased the former Meadowlakes Country Club last spring for $2.6 million and has been working to improve the golf and food services facilities.
But city leaders said in order for the restaurant to continue it must be self-supporting. They have given the business four months to get on its feet.
daniel@thepicayune.com