CYPRESS : City Manager Gets 5% Annual Raise

City Manager Darrell Essex has been given a raise that will boost his salary 5% a year for three years.

Essex, 61, will now make $9,620 a month. By the end of the 1995-96 fiscal year, his annual salary will top $127,272.

“I think Mr. Essex has tremendous experience and his worth is almost incalculable to the city and especially when we’re having hard times,” Mayor Gail H. Kerry said. “We want him to stay.”

The City Council voted 4 to 0 this week to approve Essex’s three-year contract. Council member Cecilia L. Age was absent.

Personnel Director Gary Bacock said Essex, who has served as Cypress’ city manager for the past 31 years, has more seniority than any other city manager in the state. His new salary, Bacock said, is 3.7% above the average city manager’s salary in Orange County, which is $9,279 a month.

“He has the most experience and yet he’s just barely over the average,” Bacock said.

Included in Essex’s new salary is a change in special benefits. He will no longer receive annual medical examinations, a life insurance policy and get to drive a city car for free without paying for gas, insurance or licensing fees.

Each month, Essex will get $800 in place of the car allowances, $61.67 instead of the life insurance policy and $41.67 to replace the medical exams.

In addition, Essex plans to keep the city car by purchasing it. Beginning next month, the city will take $448 out of his check each month until a total of $16,162.52 is reached, Bacock said.

“I’m happy,” Essex said. “I think both the City Council and myself are trying to do the right thing for the city.”