City Council approves $8,535 salary increase for City Manager Michael Blay

The City Council of Upland convened on June 23, 2025, to discuss several key matters, with the most significant topic being the approval of a Fifth Amendment to the City Manager Employment Agreement for Michael Blay.

City Attorney Stephen Deitch presented the proposed amendment, which seeks to increase Blay's annual compensation by $8,535.50, bringing his total annual salary to $293,052.17. This adjustment follows a series of previous amendments to his contract, which was initially approved in October 2021 and has been modified four times since then. The most recent amendment aligns with a broader executive management compensation and benefits plan approved by the City Council on June 12, 2023, which included a 3% cost-of-living adjustment effective June 22, 2025.

Deitch clarified that this salary increase will not affect the calculation of benefits under the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) for Blay, as his compensation exceeds the limits set by the retirement formula. The amendment was presented in compliance with the Brown Act, which mandates public discussion for such agreements.

Following the presentation, the City Council unanimously approved the amendment after a motion by Councilman Breitling and a second by the Mayor Pro Tem.

In addition to the salary amendment, the meeting included a segment for Council Communications, where Council Member Garcia expressed gratitude, indicating ongoing engagement among council members. The approval of the amendment marks a significant decision in the city's management structure and reflects the council's commitment to maintaining competitive compensation for its executive leadership.