While Sioux Falls is the smallest in population to the comparable cities in the region and has the least number of employees, 7 out of 22 directors make the most money. Sioux Falls also is the ONLY city listed that has a Chief Medical Officer (that is not counted).
Aprox Population
Omaha – 470,000
Lincoln – 260,000
Des Moines – 215,000
Sioux Falls – 180,000
Aprox Number of city employees
Omaha -2244
Lincoln -1967
Des Moines – Over 6,000 (I’m having trouble confirming this number, I wonder if this includes temp and PT and some cross over into the suburbs and county)
Sioux Falls – 1202
Director Pay (Yearly salary based on approximates from 2015-2018 rounded up to nearest 1000th)
SF-2018, Lincoln-2016-2017, OMAHA-2015-2017, Des Moines – 2015-2017
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HR Director
Omaha –$153K
Des Moines – $160
Sioux Falls – $147K
Lincoln – $140K
Public Parking Super
Omaha – $91K
Lincoln – NA
Des Moines – NA
Sioux Falls – $82K
Street Director
Omaha – $93K
Lincoln – $84K
Des Moines – $101K
Sioux Falls – $125K
Light/Utility Super
Omaha – NA
Lincoln – $136K
Des Moines – NA
Sioux Falls – $94K
Health Director
Omaha – NA
Lincoln – $114K
Des Moines – NA
Sioux Falls – $159K
Chief Medical Officer
Omaha – NA
Lincoln – NA
Des Moines – NA
Sioux Falls – $215K
Chief City Attorney
Omaha – $190K
Lincoln – $136K each (2 Positions)
Des Moines – $180K (Two Positions, equal pay)
Sioux Falls – $157K
Public Works
Omaha – $170K
Lincoln – $136K
Des Moines – $156K
Sioux Falls – $186K
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Police Chief
Omaha – $196K
Lincoln – $131K
Des Moines – $170K
Sioux Falls – $129K
Parks Director
Omaha – $86K
Lincoln – $123K
Des Moines – $143K
Sioux Falls – $159K
Library Director
Omaha – (multiple divided into regions)
Lincoln – $102K
Des Moines – $170K
Sioux Falls – $116K
Planning Director
Omaha – $155K
Lincoln – $91K
Des Moines – $139K
Sioux Falls – $147K
Maintenance/Custodial Director
Omaha – $104K
Lincoln – $85K
Des Moines – NA
Sioux Falls – $72K
Finance Director
Omaha – $157K
Lincoln – $136K
Des Moines – $152K
Sioux Falls – $179K
IT/Central Services
Omaha – $126K
Lincoln – $133K
Des Moines – $141K
Sioux Falls – $147K
Water Reclamation/Sewer Director
Omaha – $101K
Lincoln – $113K (Does Water Production and Sewer)
Des Moines – $141K
Sioux Falls – $124K
Water Department Super
Omaha –NA
Lincoln – SEE ABOVE (Does Water Production and Sewer)
Des Moines – NA
Sioux Falls – $115K
City Clerk
Omaha – $108K
Lincoln – $84K
Des Moines – $120K
Sioux Falls – $90K
Community Development/Urban
Omaha – $107K (combined with Housing – see below)
Lincoln – $107K
Des Moines – $135K
Sioux Falls – $126K
Housing
Omaha – (combined with above)
Lincoln – NA
Des Moines – $135
Sioux Falls – $79K
City Engineer
Omaha – NA
Lincoln – (Public works director – see above)
Des Moines – $157K
Sioux Falls – $131K
Fire Chief
Omaha – $205K
Lincoln – $131K
Des Moines – $155K
Sioux Falls – $126K (Previous was $146K)
Landfill director
Omaha – NA
Lincoln – $109K
Fargo – NA
Sioux Falls – $95K
For a city the size of Sioux Falls, 12 directors is to many. Some duties could be combined with say 8 directors instead. What never made sense to me is Parking Director. Can’t this be merged into Streets Director? It’s time to take away Parks Director and make it part of Public Works. Salary wise, it’s cheaper to live here than Omaha or Des Moines. Compensation is to high. Post Huether, TenHaken could realize there must be cuts and reorganization to recover from flamboyant spending and to guarantee bond payment responsibility.
How did this city go from 5 commissioners to 12 directors when the population increased only a third? To many chiefs, not enough Indians.
I have to wonder, what does a parking director do one a day to day basis?
I think the idea to restructure has some merit.
the city likes to hire consultants for everything else, why not look at this.
We need to get the actual number of hours we get out of the chief medical officer made public. taxpayers would be up in arms.
Combine housing, community development, and parking into one. If you put a worker in there instead of a political figurehead (yes Darrin Smith I’m talking about you) one person can do all three jobs.
The directors have enjoyed 8 years of 6% to 10% raises while the employees got around 2% every year during that time. It’s the directors turn for 0% to 2% raises until they are back inline with where they need to be.
Take out the police and fire protection and the city has about 700 fulltime employees. Now, factor in the 400 plus part time, no benefits employees. 400 plus, cannot work more than 28 hours a week with no benefits. Zilch. Nada. No, they are not just college kids looking for summer time employment. They are mostly like you and me, chasing that carrot on a string the city dangles in front of them. All they want is a full time job with benefits. But no. This city is way too top heavy with mid level management jobs. How many jobs does this city have that pay 80k plus? Too damn many.
If the wages were taken off the city website, keep in mind it does not reflect “up to” 4% matching into a 457 account the city does for all management positions. So, for example, the IT director base salary listed at $147K would actually be $152,880…caveat being they decided to participate in the program (not mandatory) but, who wouldn’t.
Yes only management is worthy of the matching benefit because of all the extra work they do! :0)
The regular minions can participate in the program but do not get the 4% matching.
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