The Greeley City Council approved a 10% salary increase and a $10,000 one-time performance bonus for City Manager Raymond C. Lee III at a meeting last month.
The council’s action May 7 brings Lee’s salary to $301,871.74 retroactive to Feb. 15. His previous salary was $274,428.85.
In addition to the $10,000 performance bonus, the council also approved for Lee an increase in paid time off (PTO) accrual rate from 9.23 hours per pay period (6 weeks annually) to 13.23 hours per pay period (8.6 weeks annually).
At the meeting, the council also approved a 9% merit increase for Municipal Judge Mark C. Gonzales, bringing his annual wage to $201,473.29. Gonzales’ previous salary was $184,837.88 per year. Gonzales also received an increase in annual PTO hours from 9.23 hours per pay period to 13.23 hours — or up to 8.6 weeks annually from 6 weeks.
The city charter requires the compensation of the city manager and the municipal judge to be fixed by city council using ordinances. Both compensation increases were approved unanimously by 7-0 votes.
Annual reviews for Lee and Gonzales were performed in March based on city council feedback, Chief Human Capital Officer Kimberly Southern-Weber told the council. Lee’s review was performed by an outside consultant who sought feedback from council members. Gonzales’ review was based on judicial review board feedback and comments from the city council.
Southern-Weber told the council the increases are market-driven and consistent with general government non-union employee merit increases with similar performance ratings.
The information presented to the council also included public hearings, allowing for residents of Greeley and members of the public to comment on the increase for Lee and Gonzales.
Greeley resident Steve Teets, who has been active and vocal in expressing his concerns to the city and Greeley-Evans School District 6, spoke on the increases for Lee and Gonzales. Teets said the money used for the raises might be used for other needs.
“Maybe put more into police and fire,” Teets said. “We have big problems with transit, with transportation. Homelessness and even getting jobs as well. I believe that maybe we should hold back on this until, maybe a year or two.”
Teets was the only member of the public to speak during the public hearings.
Councilman Johnny Olson spoke up about the raises, saying the jobs of municipal judge, city manager and city attorney are not easy positions. Olson said he wanted to clarify that the professionals in those roles “deal with a lot” and it’s important for the city to retain good people.
“They put a tireless amount of hours in,” Olson added. “Sometimes, I worry about them that they don’t have their quality of life too, that goes with it. But we need to recognize that these jobs are very difficult.”
Greeley Mayor John Gates said the unanimous votes indicate the council is appreciative of Lee and Gonzales’ efforts in managing the city and the municipal court. Gates also said it’s increasingly hard to find good staff members, and the council has shown a willingness to hire and retain staff with financial compensation and incentives.
“We’re delighted to have you both,” Gates added.
Gates said interim City Attorney Stacey Aurzada was named as the sole finalist for the permanent position.
Aurzada, previously the deputy city attorney, was named interim in late February with the retirement of City Attorney Doug Marek in early March.
Aurzada had been the deputy city attorney for all 11 years Marek served as city attorney.
“We wish you success as our sole finalist,” Gates said.
