Commission defers charter‑officer pay review to March after split vote

City staff presented compensation studies on Nov. 12 comparing the salaries and contract provisions of the three charter officers — the city manager, city attorney and city clerk — and asked the commission whether to adjust any terms now or wait.

Director Heather Kidd summarized salary comparators and noted that the city clerk had requested an adjustment; the city manager said his contract is newly negotiated and not under reconsideration. Commissioners debated whether to handle all three contracts together at the clerk’s upcoming March review or to make an immediate salary adjustment for the clerk.

Commissioner Perrine moved to continue the full review to the first meeting in March so all three charter officers could be considered together; the motion passed on a roll call (McGurk yes; Perrine yes; Mayor Cleveland yes; Ashley no; Vice Mayor Martin no). The clerk’s specific request will return in March with the other charter‑officer evaluations. The mayor said staff can consider retroactivity if any raise is approved.

Separately, Vice Mayor Martin later brought a motion during commissioner reports to make an immediate salary adjustment for the city clerk (discussed figures ranged around $112,000–$120,000 in packet materials). After discussion about uniform comparators and timing, that motion failed on a roll call (Ashley yes; Martin yes; Perrine no; McGurk no; Mayor Cleveland no).

What this means: Commissioners said they want one consistent set of comparators applied to all three positions and more time to reconcile severance and pay‑grade questions before making changes. The item will return at the commission’s first meeting in March for consolidated action.