Council gives officials generous raises Council gives officials generous raises (December 15, 2004)

Ten percent hikes passed without much discussion

by Bill D'Agostino

City Manager Frank Benest will become the first Palo Alto city employee to make more than $200,000, the City Council decided Monday night.

Without much discussion, the council approved 10 percent raises for Benest and two other top city employees. The council received criticism for proposing such hikes as the city faces a $5.2 million shortfall and anticipates layoffs.

"If Benest and the rest feel they are underpaid, they can get new jobs," resident Steven Rosenberg wrote in a rueful e-mail to the City Council. "I can tell you right now, that if you go ahead and give these raises, I will vote against every parcel tax, etc. that the city proposes."

None of the three managers, who report directly to the City Council, received raises during the past three years. The City Council had earlier issued rave reviews for the employees, including City Auditor Sharon Erickson and City Clerk Donna Rogers.

The City Council's decision was unanimous, although Councilwoman Hillary Freeman was absent for the discussion. She left the council chambers during an earlier item, due to a conflict of interest, and did not return to vote on the pay increases.

The city manager's salary will rise from $181,987 to $200,185. By contrast, city managers in 16 comparable cities make an average of $193,678, according to a consultant's analysis. The city manager essentially acts as CEO for the city, which has a budget of $335 million, including utilities, for 2004-2005.

"Your performance exceeded expectations," council members wrote about Benest, who faced a tough personal year -- his wife died and he was treated for throat cancer.

Council members also wrote: "We much appreciated your optimism, commitment, enthusiasm, loyalty, courage and the manner in which you handled your personal challenges."

The city auditor's salary will rise from $120,016 to $132,017. The council described Erickson as "perhaps the best City Auditor in the State." Her work, which includes analyzing city programs, looking for inefficiencies, "exceeds expectations and provides superior analysis of areas in which she makes her insightful and practical recommendations."

The city clerk's salary will rise from $89,177 to $98,094, still below the mean salary of $106,500 for 10 comparable cities.

The city clerk prepares City Council agendas, keeps the city's records and coordinates local elections. According to her review, Rogers "remains friendly, approachable and courteous."

The fourth city employee that reports directly to the City Council is City Attorney Gary Baum, who was just hired this summer.

Staff Writer Bill D'Agostino can be e-mailed at bdagostino@paweekly.com.

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