EAST GRAND FORKS – East Grand Forks City Council members approved an employment agreement for City Administrator Reid Huttunen on Tuesday, though the agenda item raised some questions from some council members about Huttunen’s pay and credentials.

Council member Dale Helms said he is concerned about how the 15.8% salary increase for Huttunen, which raises his pay to almost $147,000, would affect future salaries for other city employees.

“I just wonder what that’s going to do when we’ve got negotiations coming up,” Helms said. “How are we going to explain that?”

The updated contract was previously negotiated between Huttunen, Mayor Mark Olstad, Council President Brian Larson and City Attorney Ron Galstad before being brought before the council, according to Larson.

Huttunen said since h

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