Boulder City Council unanimously approves 6% merit increases for clerk, city manager and city attorney
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Summary
After presentations and council discussion, Boulder City Council approved 6% merit increases for City Clerk Tammy McKay, City Manager Ned Thomas and City Attorney Brittany Walker. Council emphasized that the raises are separate from the July cost‑of‑living adjustments negotiated in recent labor contracts.
Boulder City Council voted unanimously to grant 6% merit increases to three top municipal officials on resolutions brought forward during its March meeting.
Deputy City Manager Michael Mays presented the compiled evaluation results before each vote: City Clerk Tammy McKay received an average score of 4.76 out of 5; City Manager Ned Thomas averaged 4.5; and City Attorney Brittany Walker averaged 4.1. For the clerk, Mays presented dollar examples of how various percentage increases would affect base pay (a 5% increase would raise the clerk’s salary to $176,386.12; a 6% increase to $178,065.99).
Council members spent time distinguishing the one‑time merit adjustments under these resolutions from the automatic cost‑of‑living adjustments (COLA) that take effect in July under recently ratified labor contracts. Several council members said they were comfortable awarding a 6% merit increase now and allowing COLA to be applied later per existing contracts.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 8113 (City Clerk Tammy McKay): motion to approve a 6% merit increase — approved unanimously. - Resolution 8114 (City Manager Ned Thomas): motion to approve a 6% merit increase — approved unanimously. - Resolution 8115 (City Attorney Brittany Walker): motion to approve a 6% merit increase — approved unanimously.
On her presentation, McKay summarized office workload and key performance numbers and emphasized records improvements. “We reviewed 523 agenda items, 189 resolutions, and 23 ordinances,” she told the council, and noted the clerk’s office processed 320 passports last year, generating $14,350 in fees.
City Manager Thomas and City Attorney Walker also spoke to accomplishments and ongoing projects during their reviews; council discussion afterward focused on setting measurable goals, improving succession planning, and ensuring merit decisions are consistent with personnel policy. Each merit increase was moved and seconded on the record and carried without opposition.
What’s next Council recessed briefly after the clerk’s vote and proceeded to evaluations of the city manager and city attorney; staff will implement the payroll adjustments and apply separate COLA changes in July as provided by contract language.
