Milford council authorizes city manager contract with $195,000 base salary and reimbursable moving allowance

Milford City Council authorized the contract for the incoming city manager, approving a compensation package that includes a $195,000 base salary, a $500 monthly vehicle allowance, a reimbursable moving expense allowance of up to $22,500 and a six-month severance provision.

City staff described the contract as an “evergreen” arrangement similar to the city’s agreement with the police chief. Personnel and benefit items in the packet align with other senior staff benefits but include a $1 million life-insurance benefit (instead of two times salary). The employment start date in the contract is listed as Aug. 4, 2025.

During council discussion members asked whether the $500 monthly vehicle allowance matched other employees’ allowances; Finance staff confirmed the longstanding employee allowance has been $200 per month since 2016 and that the new manager’s $500 monthly allowance was a negotiated element of the manager’s package. The finance director and other council members said they expect staff and the new manager to review vehicle reimbursements and mileage policies during the next budget cycle.

Council debated the total first-year cost if moving expenses were reimbursed and if other components applied; staff reiterated that moving-expense reimbursements require receipts and that the $22,500 cap would only be paid to the extent actual allowable expenses were submitted.

A motion to authorize the contract passed by council (the meeting record shows a majority vote); staff will finalize documents and proceed with the appointment process.