Council authorizes negotiation of city manager contract with $195,000 starting cap after split vote

After extended discussion, City Council authorized the city manager, HR director and recruiter to negotiate an employment contract with a finalist candidate for city manager with a starting salary not to exceed $195,000 per year.

The nut graf: council members debated comparable municipal salaries, local fiscal context and the candidate’s experience before approving a negotiated starting pay cap; the motion passed following deliberation reported as 4 in favor, 3 opposed and 1 abstention.

City staff presented background showing the candidate search had been advertised with a range and that comparable DMACC communities (Middletown, Smyrna, Newark) show higher average pay for city managers; staff also noted the salary would fall within the city’s proposed pay plan and that a $195,000 starting salary aligns with the midpoint of the advertised range for a candidate with substantial municipal experience.

Council members raised a range of concerns and observations: some members argued the salary is in line with regional comparators and reflects the additional responsibilities of a municipal government that owns and operates electric and other enterprise services; others said the proposed starting salary was too high relative to household incomes and recommended a lower starting offer tied to demonstrated performance after a probationary period.

The recorded vote and comments in the public meeting transcript show divided views. Staff said the approved authorization would not require a tax increase because salary funds were already included in the current budget plans for the position. The council’s authorization allows HR and the recruiter to finalize contract terms up to the approved cap; final contract execution will follow negotiation and standard administrative approvals.