City of Luverne union employees are negotiating a new contract that will be in effect for the next three years.
Meanwhile, at their Dec. 18 meeting the City Council approved 2.25-percent step increases for eligible non-union, administrative and department heads.
The following increases, effective, Jan. 1, include step and grade changes and account for additional duties where applicable.
•City Administrator Jill Wolf’s salary increases from $143,478 to $146,702 in 2026.
•Finance director Tyler Reisch’s salary increases from $121,326 to $128,294.
•Public works director John Stoffel’s salary increases from $112,195 to $114,733.
•Water and wastewater supervisor Darrel Ykema’s salary was $101,483 in 2025. He is currently in a phased retirement as Luverne’s Class A Water Compliance Officer. Joe Ahrens is the new wastewater director with a salary of $99,258.
•Building official Chad McClure’s salary increases from $100,339 to $102,586.
•City operations and human resources manager Jessica Mead’s pay increases from $99,257 to $101,483.
•Staff accountant Candace Reese has reached the top of the pay scale at $101,160.
•Wellness center manager Samantha Honerman’s salary increases from $95,908 to $98,072.
•EDA director Holly Sammons’ salary increases from $93,849 to $95,971.
•Office Manager Peggy Adams’ salary increases from $83,928 to $85,821.
•Liquor store manager Dan Serie’s pay increases from $78,499 to $80,267.
•Assistant Liquor Store Manager Justin Timmer’s pay increases from $60,694 to $62,067.
•Assistant wellness center manager Michelle DeKam’s salary increases from $70,928 to $72,530.
Electric department salaries are paid from the city’s $600,000 annual contract with Missouri River Energy Services.
Those workers — Brian Remme, Mike Buss, Jeff Bechthold and Braydon Ripka – are MRES employees, and their salary information is not public. (Bechtold is retiring, and Sam Jones is his replacement.)
Mayor and council pay has remained flat for several years.
Luverne Mayor Pat Baustian receives $11,000 per year. City Council members are paid $9,000 per year plus a per diem of $50 for three hours or less and $100 for a full day of more than three hours, not to exceed $150 per day, for meetings in addition to those regularly scheduled.
Luverne City Attorney Ben Vander Kooi is paid as services are rendered, and in 2025 that totaled $29,125. He resigned Dec. 18 as city attorney, and the council will discuss how to fill that position for 2025.
Family and medical leave
Council members also adopted a resolution updating various personnel policies including the new Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave Law.
The law, which becomes effective Jan. 1, allows Minnesota workers paid time off and job protection during critical life events.
It provides paid time off (55 to 90 percent of wages) to bond with a new child, care for sick family members, recover from personal serious health issues, address military needs or deal with domestic abuse.
The law affects nearly all employees, in both the public and private sector, offering up to 12 weeks of family leave, 12 weeks of medical leave, or 20 total weeks in a year,
To fund the new program, a percentage of workers’ wages is deducted as a premium paid into the program with an employer match of at least 50 percent of the premium.
