By Joseph Goral
Staff Writer
jgoral@mihomepaper.com
OXFORD — The Oxford Village Council approved the employment agreement for the village’s new clerk/treasurer Vickie Hauff, and to have it executed on Nov. 12.
The motion was made by Council President Kelsey Cooke and supported by Council Member Maureen Helmuth.
According to the agreement, Hauff will perform functions and duties set by village council resolution each year. The resolution will be updated annually in December following a performance review.
Village Manager Joe Madore said he and village attorney Bob Davis sent the agreement to Hauff several weeks ago, which is “very similar” to “the current agreement with the clerk.”
“We have the staggered salaries for the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association (MMTA) basic institute, advance institute, and then the last increase upon certification,” Madore said.
The beginning salary is $65,000, according to Madore.
Hauff will serve in the position “at the sole pleasure of the majority of the full village council,” according to the agreement. The majority can terminate Hauff’s employment at any time as long as Hauff is given at least 30 days notice in writing. Hauff is able to do the same.
If terminated by council, Hauff is “entitled to a severance payment of three months base salary,” unless the clerk is convicted of a crime.
Hauff “shall” also have her salary adjusted upon completing training and certification processes, according to a schedule in the agreement. The schedule is as follows.
Hauff will receive a $2,000 increase if she completes the MMTA basic institute by July 1, 2026 or earlier, a $2,000 increase for the advance institute by July 1, 2027 or earlier, and a $2,000 increase upon becoming MiCPT certified. No date was listed for the MiCPT certification.
“Once they do the first two they’re pretty teed up to (become MiCPT certified,),” Davis said.
Raises will not be awarded if the clerk does not complete the training by the dates listed above, according to Madore.
Village council may also increase Hauff’s annual salary and benefits. Benefits include dental coverage, optical coverage, life insurance, funeral leave and holiday pay. She will also be credited with 12 vacation days – up to five of which may roll over to the following year.
Hauff will also be allowed to enroll in a medical insurance program provided by the village’s insurance carrier. She will be credited with 96 hours of sick leave annually beginning July 1, every year.
Madore said Hauff’s first day was scheduled for Monday, Nov 18. Negotiations between Davis and Hauff were approved by the village council on Oct. 8. Hauff replaces longtime Clerk/Treasurer Tere Onica, who is retiring.