SYLVANIA, Ohio — People shared concerns Monday night after a request was made for Sylvania magistrate and Court Administrator Christy Cole to get a pay raise.
During last week's City Council meeting, Sylvania's Presiding Judge Michael Bonfiglio recommended for Cole to get a $15,000 pay increase. A few former court employees urged council to not approve this increase because of what they claim happens behind the municipal court's doors.
"I was only there for 31 days, and it was a roller coaster," former court employee Rachal Montgomery said about her time working at the court.
The two other people WTOL 11 interviewed shared the same thoughts as Montgomery at Monday night's Sylvania City Council meeting. All said they used to work at the City of Sylvania Municipal Court.
Two said they were terminated, and one said she left because of what people describe as a hostile and unwelcoming work environment.
"It's just kind of disheartening to us that they would treat the employees the way they do, and still ask for an increase in pay," Kimberly Hunter said.
Cole currently makes $126,999 a year. But if the request is approved, she would make $142,000 a year. It would make her the highest paid court employee and overall, the highest paid city employee.
"Higher than the judge? Higher than the chief of police? When these actions don't warrant that type of pay raise," Katie Mcdonagh said.
President of City Council Mark Frye said this is the first time council has heard these types of allegations and will take them seriously.
"These are former employees, and they had comments and concerns," Frye said. "We want to hear back from the judge after he reviews the information, and we can make a determination from there."
Several former court employees said they showed up not only for them, but also for the people that currently work at the courthouse.
"We're here to say no," Montgomery said. "This stops with us and anyone else who may be affected."
The city's magistrate and judge did not attend the meeting and city council did not make a decision on this raise. Frye said they plan to invite the judge and magistrate to a future council meeting to hear their side.
This is a developing story. Stay with WTOL 11 for updates.
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