Mayor promotes four administration members

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has promoted four members of his administration to newly created positions that come with sizable pay raises.

Taylor Schaffer, who has worked as communications director for the mayor since he took office in January 2016, has been promoted to deputy chief of staff. She'll receive a 33 percent pay raise, to $80,000 annually. Thomas Cook is the mayor’s chief of staff.

Schaffer will serve in the mayor’s cabinet as a senior policy adviser “managing all messaging and communications efforts for the mayor’s office and executive branch departments,” according to a statement from the city. She will also supervise constituent services and the Mayor’s Action Center.

Scarlett Martin, who previously was a project manager in the mayor’s office, was named the administrator of community and economic development. Martin received an 8 percent raise, to $56,500 per year.

Mackenzie Higgins, also previously a project manager, is now the policy adviser for the office of the mayor. Higgins also received an 8 percent raise and will also receive $56,500 annually.

And Caroline Ellert, previously the constituent services assistant, is now director of constituent services. Ellert received a 16 percent raise, to $42,000 per year.

In a written statement, Hogsett said he is “proud that we continue to build a team of city leaders who are committed to the quality of life and well being of every Indianapolis resident."

“With these staffing changes, I am more confident than ever in our ability to serve residents effectively and continue moving our city forward,” he said.