SEAL BEACH : City Manager Gets $7,500 Pay Increase

City Manager Jerry L. Bankston, at the city’s administrative helm only 10 months, got a raise this week.

The City Council unanimously voted to give him an annual raise of about $7,500, bringing his yearly salary to $82,500.

“I feel Jerry is doing a superb job,” Councilman William J. Doane said. “Even though the city isn’t doing too well financially, the raise is necessary.”

The raise was called for partly because Bankston was making less than some department heads who have been with the city for a long period of time and who report to the city manager, Doane said.

Mayor Frank Laszlo said the raise elevates Bankston to being about the third lowest-paid city manager in the county. Previously, he was the lowest paid, Laszlo said.

Bankston joined the city last June. At the time, officials were scrambling to put together a balanced budget, despite shortfalls in anticipated funds. Insiders say Bankston’s soothing manner and financial finesse put at ease even those who would have to forgo a raise.

“I would say he has probably won a vote of confidence from the staff that we have lacked for a long time,” said Jack Osteen, a city administrator for 23 years.

Since joining the city, Bankston has overseen the development of several policies, including an ordinance prohibiting commercial or for-profit groups from distributing or selling alcohol during events held on the cities beaches.

And in the same routine consent calendar vote that approved Bankston’s raise, the council approved some administrative changes recommended by Bankston that will save the city about $75,000 annually. Those changes include consolidating the positions of finance director and assistant city manager--both positions have been vacant since last year--to create an opening for a director of administrative services. The new position will be filled in May, Bankston said.

City resident and activist Beverly Casares gave Bankston her own evaluation. She said Bankston has brought about positive change since joining the city, though he could earn higher marks in completing longstanding city business.