MONROE — Officials voted April 15 to use a portion of savings gained through the termination of former comptroller Bridget Schuchart for compensation of the newly recreated deputy comptroller position. 

Karla Fritsch, who worked for the city as accounts manager, was given additional duties in her position once the city agreed to sever Schuchart’s employment. An agreement was reached and approved Dec. 3. 

As a money-saving measure implemented in the 2019 budget, the employee was replaced with Bauman Associates of Eau Claire, an accounting and comptroller consulting firm contracted with the city. 

The measure saved the city roughly $28,000. 

The title of comptroller will be delegated to City Administrator Phil Rath, with no additional compensation, because Rath is in charge of overseeing exchanges between the city and Bauman Associates. 

Rath said that while the accounting firm has been helpful in its handling of questions and providing advice on best practices, cost analysis and policy questions, Fritsch has been given additional responsibilities which do not fall under the accounts manager position.

Appointment of Fritsch to the position comes with a pay raise. Accounts manager was classified as a step 9 in the organization of city employees. Deputy comptroller has a salary of just under $54,000, an increase of $6,400 annually to the city for wages and benefits. Rath said it was offset by the $28,000 in savings gained by contracting comptroller services. 

Monroe Common Council members voted unanimously in favor of the shift.