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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Deadly deer virus may be spreading Medford School District considers gifted land for new school Grants Pass man arrested on sex abuse charges Man found asleep in stolen car Comic book strives to teach kids to be ready for earthquakes Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Grants Pass man arrested on sex abuse charges Man found asleep in stolen car Comic book strives to teach kids to be ready for earthquakes Medford library bathrooms vandalized multiple times Forestry crews snuff human-caused fire outside Gold Hill Politics and Elections Cecil, Stricker to face off in mayor's race, again Commissioner Skundrick plans final four town hall meetings Medford eyes electronic sign visual pollution Medford council veterans plan exit Medical marijuana patients run for council seat Education Medford School District considers gifted land for new school Loan default rate threatens Umpqua student aid Logos art teacher recognized High-tech tools Eagle Point equips kindergartners with iPads Environment Deadly deer virus may be spreading Talent earns Bee City USA designation Those without senior water rights left high and dry Stressed but off life support Rogue watershed councils plan to merge State news Nation - World Obituaries Stuart Skeele Frank Raymond Nadeau Death Notices Bobby Kieth Spoonts Dan Austin Andress Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories (No heading) U.S. beats Puerto Rico 112-86 in exhibition Ducks break camp Versatile Martin looks to earn 49ers roster spot SOU football team has an eye in the sky Varsity 541 College Sports Ducks break camp SOU football team has an eye in the sky Raiders open with two triumphs Mannion's understudies compete for No. 2 spot Tyner's time might be now for Ducks Pro Sports (No heading) Versatile Martin looks to earn 49ers roster spot Finally, game ends in Cubs' victory Redskins’ RG3 stands by latest post Loose sod at new Levi’s Stadium removed Community Sports Results / Standings Second season a success for Rogues Runners defend titles in Mt. 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Dry grass leads to vehicle restrictions Get Out: Friday, Aug. 22 Food Community blog: Onion pickles can wait for home-canning lull Cooking outside the box Cold Cucumber Cream Soup With Tomato Salsa Summer Squash Pasta With Green Goddess Dressing Corn on the cob butter recipes Home and Garden Green Scene: Diagnosing common tomato troubles Lawn talk Tips for keeping backyard birds cool this summer Bath time for the birds: You can help them stay cool and clean Learn to pick produce at the peak of ripeness Health Community blog:Here�s How To Leave Despair For Resilience Health officials detect West Nile Virus in another Jackson County sample Community blog:Doing laundry... Healthy Aging: An udderly unlikely vacation find Community blog:The Unfriendly Skies Hiking Faith Religion briefs Community Blog: Is Peace Possible in the Middle East - Part three of four Religion briefs Community Blog: Is Peace Possible in the Middle East part 2 Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements Medford woman graduates with honors Century Club New Arrivals Wedding: Schulman-Nadolny Stuss-Bones Columnist for a Day Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Live Music in Local Clubs Brian Regan hands out the laughs at Britt Randall Theatre extends 'Godspell' American Idol Live! comes to the Britt Stage 'Pump Boys & Dinettes' opens at Camelot Theatre Theater Randall Theatre extends 'Godspell' 'Pump Boys & Dinettes' opens at Camelot Theatre Film festival kicks off annual 'Daedalus Project' Review: The joy of 'Godspell' is infectious Randall Theatre opens 'Godspell' Music Live Music in Local Clubs Jeff Addicott: A Rogue Valley Experience Guitar Circus with Peter Frampton and Buddy Guy Brian Regan hands out the laughs at Britt Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue at Britt Community Events Shady Cove Tie Days Swap Meet 'Prints From the Plateau' at the Rogue Gallery Nature Walks in Lithia Park ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum World of Wine celebrates local varietals Dining NW Raw Kelly's Crepes Basil & Berries India Palace Taco Riendo Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Forestry crews snuff human-caused fire outside Gold Hill ... ACCESS warns clients to check possibly contaminated nut butters ... 5 Things to Do This Weekend ... Forestry crews snuff human-caused fire outside Gold Hill ... ACCESS warns clients to check possibly contaminated nut butters ... 5 Things to Do This Weekend ... MEDFORD City workers get wage increase Move will cost almost $500,000 By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 21, 2014 @ 4:32 pm By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 21, 2014 @ 4:32 pm » Social News A 2.5 percent wage hike will be given to 170 Medford employees and will cost the city almost $500,000 during the first year. Despite unanimous approval, some city councilors today expressed concern that the city is headed for a fiscal disaster in the future by constantly raising salaries. “I don’t know how to stop the train,” Councilor Chris Corcoran said. He said he thought city staff deserved the raises, but he didn’t think the city in the long run will be able to sustain the salary levels being handed out. The city approved salary increases to two groups of city employees. One agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents 70 workers, would boost salaries 2.5 percent this year, 2.25 percent in 2015 and 2.5 percent in 2016. The health insurance cap paid by the city would increase from $1,350 to $1,400 a month, effective Jan. 1, 2015, then increase $50 per month in each of the following two years. The city projects the financial impact is $131,000 in the first year, $123,000 in the second year and $136,000 in the third year. The second group, made up of 105 employees in administrative or supervisory positions, would get a 2.5 percent raise for this fiscal year. The city is still working out details of the insurance package, though the city’s share is expected to rise. According to the city’s projections, the cost of the increase for the management group is $357,000. In addition to those agreements, the city is in negotiations on police and fire salaries. The city has 444 full-time employees, as well as 182 part-time employees. Council President Daniel Bunn said he approves the wage increases but also expressed concern about the future. “At some point it is all going to come to a head,” he said. City Manager Eric Swanson’s salary also was scheduled for discussion Thursday but was tabled until a later date. Swanson could also receive a 2.5 percent increase, which would bring his annual salary to $145,008. The city sets aside an additional 1.9 percent of his salary in a deferred compensation account. Under the proposed contract, Swanson would receive up to $1,400 in insurance premiums paid by the city. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @reporterdm.   By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 21, 2014 @ 4:32 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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