Milford council, Morgan reach final agreement

The village of Milford has reached an agreement on terms with Brent Morgan, the city manager for Caro, Mich., to become Milford’s new village manager, according to Deborah Frazer, Milford Village’s clerk and interim manager.

Announcement of agreement comes after the Milford Village Council held a special meeting on Friday, Sept. 21 to address a counter-offer Morgan made regarding salary and severance pay provisions in a contract.

The village’s original offer was an annual salary of $78,000 and 30 days severance pay, but Frazer said that Morgan counter-offered with an $84,000 salary and 180 days of severance pay.

The Village Council answered with an offer of an $80,000 annual salary, along with 30 days severance for the first six months followed by 60 days afterwards, which Frazer said Morgan has agreed to accept.

The rest of the agreement consists of terms from the village’s original offer, which include a $3,000 vehicle allowance and three weeks vacation in his first year on the job, with vacation time accruing after that period.

Morgan will also be responsible for 20 percent of his health care insurance premiums and will contribute 4 percent of his salary to a 401K plan with a 3 percent match by the village.

Frazer said the village is still waiting for a final version of the year-to-year contract to be delivered by its attorney.

The council will then either hold a special meeting for the approval of the contract or put the contract on the agenda for its next regular meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 1.

That scenario has yet to be determined, according to Frazer.

The council approved the extension of an offer to Morgan at its Sept. 17 meeting.

Morgan was one of four finalists interviewed for the village manager position on Saturday, Sept. 8.

He has served as the city manager in Caro since taking the position in May 2010 after previously being employed by Owosso as its assistant city manager.

Morgan will fill the vacancy left by Arthur Shufflebarger, who died on June 11 after serving as the village manager since 1990.

Morgan was not available for comment prior to press time.