Pay Raises for Top City Executives Put on Hold

Five top city officials took a cut in pay Tuesday, at least temporarily.

City Council members, most of whom admitted that they were unaware they had granted 5% to 10% raises to the city’s chief administrators as part of a hurriedly passed general salary ordinance two weeks ago, decided to put the pay hikes on hold until closed-door “performance reviews” were held.

Mayor Maureen O’Connor brought the issue back for discussion after council members complained that they thought they had voted general pay increases to city employees on May 11, but not to the city’s top officials. O’Connor confessed that she might have been responsible “because I was a little confused on how things are handled when I first came on board” as mayor. The mayor had recommended the increases.

No Advisory Sent

City Manager John Lockwood, who received a 5.8% raise to $105,600 under the now-stalled ordinance, said that it has been the practice “for the last 30 years at least,” for the mayor to recommend salary hikes for the manager, auditor, city clerk, planning director and city attorney. The council members are traditionally sent a memorandum on the proposed executive pay increases and then are asked to consent to the mayor’s recommendations by passing the salary ordinance.

However, O’Connor did not send such an advisory to her colleagues, and so was the only one who was aware that the top salaries--including a 10% raise for City Atty. John Witt--were being approved.

Councilman Mike Gotch suggested that the council meet in executive session to review the performance of the executives before giving a final approval to the pay raises.

Study on Salaries

Gotch also referred fellow council members to a report on top executive salaries paid in private industry, where chief operating officers drew seven-figure salaries and said, “we’re very blessed to have competent people with our pay levels and should do everything possible to keep them.”

Council members aren’t allowed to discuss salaries in closed session, Witt said, but may discuss the performance of their appointed administrators. However, Witt warned, the performance of elected officials--including himself--cannot be discussed behind closed doors.

The pay hikes are expected to be approved in time to go into effect at the start of the fiscal year, July 1, when the council members also get a $5,000 pay increase, which is a 12.5% raise.