Southlake council extends city managers contract, raises pay to 65th percentile

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Talley moved and the City Council unanimously approved an amendment to City Manager Allison Orkowskis employment contract that extends the term by one year and adjusts her compensation to align with the 65th percentile of the market, with an effective date of Feb. 1, 2025.

The action followed an executive session the council held under the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, chapter 551, to seek legal advice and deliberate personnel and economic development matters. Talley said, "I move that we approve to amend the city manager's contract to extend it for a period of 1 year, and to adjust her compensation to align with the 65th percentile of the market with an effective date of February 1, 2025." The council then voted and Mayor Sean McCaskill said, "I think that's gonna pass 50 unanimously." The motion passed 5-0.

Council members did not provide further details in the meeting packet about the precise new salary figure or whether the adjustment includes benefits; no additional direction to staff was recorded. Orkowski responded briefly, accepting the councils remarks: "Thank you," she said.

The item was taken up immediately after the council returned from executive session called under Chapter 551, sections 551.071 (consultation with attorney), 551.074 (personnel), and 551.087 (economic development negotiations). The meeting record does not include any separate public discussion or public comment on the contract amendment.

The council also approved a consent agenda earlier in the evening and returned later to the regular session to consider this personnel action. The contract amendment is effective Feb. 1, 2025; the council did not specify a public reporting requirement or follow-up timeline in the meeting minutes.