Centerville rewards city manager, considers raises for 130 workers

The salary hike would be retroactive to Aug. 21, according to the agreement.

Centerville Mayor Brooks Compton and other leaders have credited Davis for the direction the city has taken since he was hired more than four years ago.

“Centerville has benefited under the leadership of Wayne Davis,” Compton said in a statement. “There is great work in progress in alignment with our strategic plan, and city council is confident that Wayne’s leadership will help us continue the momentum.

“The commitment to improving our infrastructure, revitalizing Uptown and supporting responsible economic development is paying off in significant business interest,” he added.

Compton also cited renovations at The Golf Club at Yankee Trace, Stubbs Park and work to improve Benham’s Grove among the reasons for the contract extension and raise.

The move comes two years after city government had tension over a series of staff resignations, with some of the departing employees criticizing Davis. But Compton said city leadership fully supports Davis.

“Wayne’s commitment to building a strong team and developing them professionally is supported by city council and helps us live up to a mission of providing exceptional services through thoughtful governance to ensure progress and stability,” he said.

Two years ago, city council approved a contract for Davis to run through August 2022 with a salary of increase to $183,414 a year, which was bumped to about $188,000 last year, according to the city.

As with the 2019 contract, the new one calls for a $4,800-a-year car allowance.

Davis was hired in June 2017 at $169,000 annually, according to Dayton Daily News records.

A separate measure proposes increasing the pay ranges and rates for other city jobs for 2022 and 2023 “with the general increase matching the current union contract at 2.75% for each year,” records show.

It affects about 130 employees, according to the city. The two-year pay ordinance is scheduled for a public hearing Dec. 6.

Centerville’s two police unions have 33 members, according to the collective bargaining agreements. Both agreed to contracts this year that expire Dec. 31, 2023, state records show.