But some employees did see pay spike for reasons other than that. Half of the city’s 10 highest paid employees worked in the police department, where increased training requirements and several retirements led to increased overtime for officers, according to city Finance Director Bill Kucera.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Overtime pushes pay for many over $100K
Kucera was the city’s second highest-paid worker last year, grossing $123,528.
The city’s highest paid employee was City Manager Michael Cornell, who made $163,033 before retiring at the end of the year.
Cornell also received a check for $15,502 in unused accrued vacation leave upon separation in January. He was not eligible to cash out sick leave because he technically only had two years of service with the city after a retire-rehire deal in 2014.
SPECIAL REPORT: Taxpayers on hook for $444M in unused state worker leave
An I-Team investigation found public employees’ ability to cash out unused sick and vacation leave is a rare perk in the private sector, and collectively costs state and local governments hundreds of millions of dollars.
The 10 highest-paid employees in the city of Beavercreek last year were:
1. Michael Cornell, city manager: $163,033
2. Bill Kucera, finance director: $123,528
3. Michael Thonnerieux: public administrative services director: $115,343
4. Dennis Evers, chief of police: $114,315
5. David Darkow, police sergeant: $113,448
6. Shawn Sumner, police sergeant: $112,527
7. John Howlett, construction inspector: $111,705
8. David Suber, foreman: $107,909
9. Chad Lindsey, police captain: $107,846
10. James Spicer, police officer: $105,739
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