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The Menlo Park City Council unanimously voted Aug. 26 to renew City Manager Justin Murphy’s contract for two more years, after which it will renew automatically.
Murphy became city manager in 2022 when the council approved a three-year contract after he served as interim city manager for six months while the city searched for a replacement for former City Manager Starla Jerome-Robinson.
Murphy joined the city in 1996 as an associate planner and later became deputy city manager before stepping into the interim role.
The contract, which would have expired Aug. 30, included an option to extend it for two years, after which it renews annually. Murphy is an at-will employee and can be terminated with 60 days’ notice.
The council approved the extension without discussion on Aug. 26.
Murphy will earn $332,500 annually after he receives an $8,500 raise for the extension. The raise was added to his employment contract in May 2024 in case the council extended it. At that same meeting in 2024, the council gave Murphy a $29,500 raise, a $10,000 bonus and a $15,000 contribution to his retirement account.
The council may also approve an annual bonus based on positive performance.
The council conducted a closed-session performance evaluation of Murphy on Aug. 19 but reported no action.
According to the California Controller’s Office, Murphy’s total wages in 2024, which include retirement and health contributions, were in line with other cities in San Mateo County. His total compensation was $334,335; the county average was $346,895.
