Menlo may raise managers' pay Menlo may raise managers' pay (April 13, 2005)

By Rebecca Wallace

Almanac Staff Writer

Fourteen high-level Menlo Park city employees may get raises ranging from 7 to 15 percent, if the City Council gives its approval on April 12.

The city has been in a budget crunch that has led to cuts and layoffs recently. But City Manager David Boesch said the raises are needed because the management employees, who include the directors of the public works, community development and community services divisions, have not had pay increases since June 2002.

In addition, their salaries have lagged behind those of their counterparts in other cities, he wrote in a staff report. Three years ago, they were 5 to 10 percent behind "the market average," he wrote.

"At some point you have to catch up. You're no longer competitive in the (hiring) marketplace," Mr. Boesch told the Almanac.

The city determines the average by analyzing conditions in 15 Bay Area cities deemed comparable, including Palo Alto and San Carlos.

The increases would cost about $175,000 and would come out of budget reserves, Mr. Boesch wrote.

Retroactive to July 1, 2004, the raises would vary depending on how far each salary is deemed to be behind the market average.

For example, Mr. Boesch told the Almanac, the assistant city manager's annual salary, which is now about $139,000, would go up to the market average of around $153,000. The police chief's salary would increase from about $138,000 to around $157,000.

These figures include retirement benefits but not health insurance.

Mr. Boesch's $159,000 salary would not be affected; the council determines his compensation during his annual review.

Lower-level workers represented by unions have recently gotten annual raises ranging from 1.5 to 5 percent.

The council meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at 701 Laurel St. For more information, go to www.menlopark.org.

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