Courtesy Photo Rogers City Manager Joe Hefele works at his desk on Wednesday. Hefele was awarded a new three-year contract by the Rogers City Council. At his request, he will not receive a pay increase, but the council can bump his compensation if it chooses over the term of the deal.

ROGERS CITY — Rogers City Mayor Scott McLennan described City Manager Joe Hefele’s work performance over the last three years as impeccable and because of that, Hefele was awarded a new three-year contract.

Hefele, who submitted the terms for his new deal to the Rogers City Council, did not seek a raise and will continue to earn the $84,000 a year he currently does, but council reserves the right to further compensate Hefele if it sees fit.

The new contract begins on July 1.

McLennan said Hefele has been a committed employee for the city and helped it become a Michigan Main Street community, and lead other big projects, all while keeping finances respectable. He said Hefele has a deep passion for Rogers City and always strives to make it better for residents and visitors.

“Joe has a work ethic like no other and he works extremely hard to rebuild the local economy and support our small businesses,” McLennan said. “The review process was very positive and the council is very supportive of the current city manager.”

As the cost of labor and other expenses continue to increase, McLennan said he when reviewing Hefele’s proposed contract, he was surprised to see there wasn’t a request for a hike in pay. McLennan said because the city could be looking at even higher costs down the road, Hefele wanted to be responsible with the city’s money, even if it meant he sacrificed an increase in pay that likely would have been approved.

“He told us that with all the uncertainties out there, he didn’t want anything more,” McLennan said. “But, the council can agree at any point to increase the wage, so that is always an option for us. We could look at a bonus, or it might be nothing. What he did honestly shows how much he cares for the community.”

Rogers City looked at the pay of other city managers in comparable communities and McLennan described Hefele’s pay as conservitive. The new deal does include a six-month severance package, which means he will receive his salary for that period of time if he were let go without cause.

McLennan said the severance deal also helps Hefele should there be a large shake-up in city government.

“It protects him from things like a change in council that may want to replace him,” McLennan said. “But, if he is terminated with cause, he doesn’t receive any severance pay.”

Hefele was hired by Rogers City in 2014 while he was manager for Onaway. He continued to manage both municipalities until early 2017 when he began to manage Rogers City exclusively.