MORGANTOWN — Based on the utility’s performance over the last 18 months, the Morgantown Utility Board voted unanimously on Thursday to reward General Manager Tim Ball with a pay increase.
The 3% raise will bump Ball’s annual salary from $196,960 to $202,859. The raise will be retroactive to July 1, 2019.
Typically held around the end of the fiscal year, Ball explained that the performance review was postponed this past summer due to the ongoing negotiations regarding the raw water pipeline through White Park.
Not only did the water line dominate MUB’s attention at the time, Ball said he believed the board should wait to see how that issue played out before reviewing his performance.
“As a board, we reviewed our general manager’s goals and objectives from last year. We reviewed the actions and activities that took place as far as this organization and its progress. We had a discussion in terms of having met those goals and objectives and having had a few challenges throughout the year that have been satisfactorily resolved,” MUB member Barbara Parsons said. “The executive director has done a very good job of managing this organization, as usual. It is an exemplary organization.”
Ball began his career with MUB in 1988. He became general manager in 2010 and plans to step away next year, with more than 33 years with the utility.
“I would like to thank the board,” Ball said. “It is very much appreciated.”
In other personnel news, the board took a moment to welcome new member Sarah Cayton and bid adieu to longtime board member Ron Bane.
The body gave Bane a plaque and a MUB jacket, commemorating 14 years as a board member, from 2005-’19.
“It’s been just absolutely a great ride. Whenever you first sit in the seat, you know that there’s going to be an end,” Bane said, thanking MUB staff as well as former and current board members for their efforts.
He even got a little choked up when reflecting on his working relationship with Ball over the years.
“He goes from being the general manager of this institution for me, to a friend. I’m going to miss him, but we’ll stay in touch,” Bane said. “It’s been a great ride.”
Also on Thursday, the board:
- Voted to retain J.T. Straface as chairman. Barbara Parsons will take over for Bane as vice chair. Tom Witt will remain treasurer and Karen Kunz will be the board’s secretary.
- Approved the final $71,605.48 draw down on the Rockley Road water line project, effectively bringing an end to that project.
The burden of paying the debt service on the water line extension now falls to the 30 customers served in the form of a surcharge on their water bills.
- Approved a bid of $167,020 from D&M Painting, of Washington, Pa., for the painting of a water tank on the grounds of the Lakeview Resort.
- Approved a bid of $114,923 from Stone Paving for a sanitary sewer project to service The Glens, which is an expansion of the Falling Waters development. That work is being done at the developer’s expense.
- Approved a bid of $394,800 from Civil Environmental Consulting, of Bridgeport, for CSO (combined sewer overflow) metering.
