Sewickley borough manager gets new 2-year deal

Sewickley officials have approved a new employment agreement with borough manager Donna Kaib.

Council unanimously voted Jan. 9 to retain its top administrator the next two years.

The agreement comes with a big pump in pay from when she was first hired in August 2021. Kaib’s starting salary for the at-will position was $92,000.

The agreement sets her 2024 compensation at $130,000 with additional salary adjustments at council’s discretion.

“I love it here,” Kaib said after the meeting. “The council is wonderful. The residents are wonderful. We’re just excited to continue to making progress like the last two years, getting some projects done and things accomplished.”

Kaib worked for Reserve Township for 17 years, including five as township manager, prior to coming to Sewickley.

She also served as the township’s tax collector, treasurer, secretary, assistant manager and Right-to-Know officer. She lives in the township.

Council president Cynthia Mullins said Kaib’s services are worth every penny.

“The agreement with Donna was a resounding vote of confidence, unanimously, on the part of council,” Mullins said. “During her tenure here, we have made more progress in two years than we’ve made in a long time. She’s been a real asset to our finances and to the quality of life here.”

Council members said Kaib has been instrumental in seeking many grants, including hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Commonwealth Financing Authority and other funding sources.

Kaib and her team crafted the 2024 budget, which was approved last month, with no tax increase. The borough has not raised taxes in about six years.

“It’s been a joy to work with her and we’re happy that she’s here serving our community,” said councilman Tom Rostek. “She takes good care of the staff, runs a good shop with the staff. We’ve gotten lots of grants over the years. She’s been involved in all levels. Financially we’ve been doing wonderfully, and the staff’s been happy.”

In other business

• Borough engineer Mike Galet announced the second year of a boroughwide sidewalk replacement project is expected to begin this month.

There are 29 locations to be repaired as a result of tree roots upending sections of walkways.

• Council appointed vice president Julie Barnes as its representative to the Quaker Valley Council of Governments. Councilwoman Bridgett Bates was named alternate representative.