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Politics & Government

City Manager Gets 2 % Salary Bump: First in Three Years

Top adminstrator's work termed commendable by mayor.

Burnsville City Council members didn’t have much to say before approving a 2 percent pay hike for City Manager Craig Ebeling during the June 7 council meeting. The motion to approve his annual salary of $137,241 was part of the consent agenda, which are items the council deems non-controversial and approved with one vote, unless someone asks to have something removed for further discussion - but that wasn’t the case for the administrative leader’s pay proposal.

While the city council meeting was the backdrop for the vote, it was the May 21, council work session where members gave Ebeling a performance evaluation.

After discussion, consensus was to prepare a letter of understanding for consideration at the June 7 meeting.

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Ebeling said in an interview that this is the first pay increase he has had since 2008. With many state government employees faced with salary freezes and possible layoffs, Ebeling said the council suggested the increase. When asked why he didn’t turn the increase down again this year, he said. "Three years is a reasonable amount of time." He noted that many of the city’s non-union had their wages frozen in Jan. 2009, but were given a 2 percent increase this year.

Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz called Ebeling’s work performance commendable, including "improved communication regarding time sensitive news issues," according the work session minutes.

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Kautz suggested improved customer-relation training for those who have extensive contact with city residents.

Ebeling presented an overview of the past year's highlights. Included:

  • Improved development activity
  • Sound city finances, including its AAA bond rating;
  • Fewer Part 1 crimes; and some new electronic applications have resulted in less overtime;
  • Improvements to the city’s Ice Center.

As previously , Ebeling’s salary appears to fall in the middle when compared to other managers of comparable area cities.

The council said it would conduct a salary review of all city employees beginning next January.

According to the city’s website, the city manager’s role is to:

  • Support, enhancement, compliance and implementation of City Council policy.
  • Public relations and communications.
  • Overall financial management stability.
  • Ensure compliance with all legal requirements.
  • Serves a role as "ombudsman" to help address constituent complaints and problems.
  • Setting the overall tone, attitude, vision and strategic direction for the organization.

 

 

 

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