Council Gives City Manager Vote of Confidence, Raise

City Manager Frank Benest received a vote of confidence this week as the City Council agreed to increase his pay to $138,500 a year.

Benest, 47, also will receive a one-time performance award of $3,500 for recent accomplishments, the council decided.

The council cited accomplishments that include negotiating $4 million from Orange County to acquire land for a sports park; conducting the recent Downtown Idea Fair, and overseeing completion of downtown infrastructure projects and the first year of operations at the Community Center.

Benest has served as city manager for eight years. His previous annual salary was $132,000.