This payroll file documents compensation records for James W. Paine (D), elected Mayor of the City of Superior, covering January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2025. The records show salary levels, reappointments, and daily work entries tied to the mayor’s office.

Position and Compensation

James Paine (D) served as a full-time elected official. The role carried salaried status and exemption from overtime rules. By 2025, Paine (D) earned an annual salary of $100,377.44, with an hourly equivalent rate of $48.26. The payroll classification places the mayor within general government administration funded entirely by taxpayers.

Salary Growth Over Time

The records show consistent annual increases. Paine (D) began his term in 2017 at approximately $81,940. His salary climbed steadily through scheduled raises and reappointments. By 2023, his pay exceeded $94,000, and by 2025 it crossed the $100,000 threshold.

Reappointments in 2019 and 2023 coincide with election cycles. Each reappointment aligns with continued pay increases, reinforcing the structure of automatic salary progression tied to holding office.

Work Activity Records

Unlike hourly staff, the mayor’s payroll logs show uniform daily entries. Most days list “REGULAR HOURS” at eight hours per day across the entire calendar. The consistency remains uninterrupted through the years shown.

There are no visible entries for leave categories such as FMLA, disability, or unpaid absence within the provided records. Instead, the file reflects continuous compensation regardless of external events or operational disruptions.

Administrative Adjustments

Frequent minor “salary adjustment” entries appear throughout the records. These small corrections, often fractions of a dollar, suggest backend payroll balancing rather than substantive pay changes.

Observations

The payroll file presents a controlled and predictable compensation structure. Unlike subordinate staff, the mayor’s pay shows no interruption, no hourly variability, and no visible reduction tied to absence.

The contrast between this record and other city payroll files raises questions about consistency in how work, leave, and compensation are documented across roles. One system tracks absence in detail. Another records uninterrupted service. Taxpayers fund both.

Paine-01.01.2018-to-12.31.2025