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Council approves merit and COLA pay increases and contract changes for city manager
Summary
Following a performance evaluation, the council approved a 6% merit increase plus a 4% COLA (total ~10%) for the city manager, set an annual $12,000 deferred‑comp contribution through 2030 and amended severance accruals to 3 months per year up to a 12‑month cap; staff will prepare contract amendments for the mayor to sign.
The Des Moines City Council on Nov. 13 approved multiple compensation and contract amendments for the city manager following a performance review.
Councilmember Mahoney moved to award the city manager a 6% merit increase and an additional 4% cost‑of‑living adjustment, for a combined change of roughly 10% effective in 2026; the motion passed 5‑1. Council also approved an annual city contribution of $12,000 to the city manager’s deferred compensation account through 2030 (motion passed 5‑1).
On severance, the council amended the contract to accrue termination/severance at a rate of three months per year of service up to a 12‑month cap, a change the deputy mayor said aligns with typical ICMA recommendations. That amendment also passed 5‑1.
Council directed staff to prepare contract amendment language reflecting the votes and authorized the mayor to sign the revisions based on council approvals.
Why it matters: council approved compensation and contract changes to retain and reward the city manager after a positive evaluation while specifying deferred‑comp and severance terms; council votes were divided 5‑1 on the package.
