Costa Mesa council to consider pay raise and other contract changes for city manager

Costa Mesa City Manager Tom Hatch would receive a pay raise and be required to kick in more toward his retirement under a revised employment contract the City Council will review Tuesday.

Under the proposed amendment, Hatch would see his annual pay rise from $217,656 to $237,960. His total annual compensation, including salary and benefits, would be $362,533, according to the city.

Hatch — who has served as Costa Mesa’s top administrative employee since 2011 — also would be required to put 12% of his salary toward his retirement, up from his current contribution of about 10.5%.

In April, the council approved pay increases and other benefit changes for executive-level city employees and division managers. However, Hatch’s salary remained the same, as the council had yet to complete his employee evaluation.

Even with the proposed bump, Hatch’s salary still would be 10% below the average compensation for comparable positions in Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach and Santa Ana, according to Costa Mesa staff.

The proposed contract amendment also would boost how much vacation time Hatch can accrue in a year from 120 hours to 212.

If approved, the changes to Hatch’s salary, retirement contribution and vacation accrual would be retroactive to April 16.

City attorney discussion

Also on Tuesday, council members are set to decide whether to change how Costa Mesa fills its city attorney position.

Last month, the council voted 3-2 — with Mayor Pro Tem Allan Mansoor and Councilman Jim Righeimer opposed — to direct staff to prepare a report on the options for potentially shifting from the law firm Jones & Mayer, with which Costa Mesa has contracted for city attorney services since 2004.

Tom Duarte, a partner in the firm, has been Costa Mesa’s municipal counsel since 2011.

Those who supported the move said the goal was to take an in-depth look at the alternatives so the council could weigh the pros and cons of each.

After reviewing the requested report Tuesday, council members could choose to direct staff to work on creating an in-house city attorney’s office staffed with city employees, accept bids for a contract law firm or maintain the status quo.

Tuesday’s council meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive.

luke.money@latimes.com

Twitter @LukeMMoney