City manager signs on for four more years
The City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday to approve City Manager Jim Estep’s employment contract for another four years. Councilman Tom Cosgrove voted against the contract but made it very clear he was pleased with Estep’s work and that his concerns lay with possible liabilities to the General Fund. “I believe you’ve done exceptionally well in the time you’ve been here,” Cosgrove said. “I would hope you would stay well beyond (four more years).” Part of Estep’s contract extended his potential severance package – in the event he is let go – from six months to nine months, which Cosgrove said would come directly from the General Fund and would represent a potential risk of more than $55,000. Also included in Estep’s contract is a 5-percent merit raise as a result of his performance review but he will only receive that raise for one month, since he agreed to the same conditions as the other general-funded city positions during the budget cuts in February, which negate that raise, according to Councilwoman Linda Stackpoole. Stackpoole said Estep would, in normal economic times, be entitled to more. “We did an extensive evaluation on Jim’s performance,” Stackpoole said. “This is not nearly what we would have proposed in normal economic times.” Stackpoole added that Estep still falls about $30,000 short of the comparable position in Folsom and $50,000 short of the one in Rocklin, and most surrounding cities have severance packages of 12 months. “We are looking forward to the next four years,” Stackpoole said. Councilman Paul Joiner said he felt the possible liabilities to the general fund were acceptable when faced with the fact that it would likely cost far more to “change horses mid-stream” if Estep were to quit. Mayor Spencer Short called Estep the “best hire we’ve had,” and Councilman Kent Nakata said the city’s operations were “in a mess” when he got here in April, 2008, and Estep has done an excellent job of overhauling them with an aim to making them more transparent. Estep’s base salary with the city is $215,100 per year, with an additional $8,400 for serving on the redevelopment agency and a $700-per-month vehicle allowance, along with various other benefits, according to the agenda packet. When asked if he will stay all four years, Estep replied, “That’s the plan.” The contract is standard procedure and Estep said the chief purpose of the approval of the contract was to set the term at four years. “It has been a challenging year,” Estep said, “but I’ve really enjoyed being here and I want to see us all through this.” Brandon Darnell can be reached by e-mail at brandond@goldcountrymedia.com.
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You lay off half the city employees and pay the city manager over 224,200 a year. plus benifits. I hope all the city employees remember this when they come up for new contracts. A city that crys poor all the time sure does not show it. If any of these council peope get reelected, I will be suprised. He is leading the city council around by the nose just like the last one did and look what that got us. Our council is not smart enough to know what is going on. They were surprised when it fell out and now they follow this one with no questions asked. Just amazing.
I'm sure the City Manager is a real smart guy but doesn't he make enough? Can Lincoln really afford to pay the salaries Folsom and Elk Grove do for a city manager? I think not, and Lincoln could get the tallent it needs even if it's not Mr. Estep or maybe he could work for the same amount he makes now until we get through this. Even he would be challenged to find a job paying this much in this economy. Folsom and Elk Grove are bigger cities; Lincoln cannot compare to their size yet. Didn't Estep have a starting salary in the $190's and then the Council allows that to move to $215,000. plus the redevelopment agency manager pay of $700. a month, plus the car allowance of $700. a month plus the deferred compensation package of 3.5% match of his wages, plus the City paying his FICA (Social Security) plus if he wants to move he gets up to $18,000. to move from Folsom? Plus if he leaves he gets a nine month salary package. Plus he gets full medical retirement after only five years while others have to work twenty years. WOW! Now that's a lot of money! A lot more than 5% and a heck of a lot more than Lincoln can afford.
Just like the previous comment pointed out; "you lay off half the city employees and pay the city manager over $224,200 a year" Way Over $224,200. by the looks of it; do the math and check that contract that went before council its public record. We deserve to know how City Hall is spending our money and I can't imagine how our fine city is going to keep this up. They lay off employees telling them there is no work for them then hire consultants for more money than the people they cut but there ws no work? Then lincoln struggles to make ends meet can we even balance the upcoming budget? Didn't the City take away from its employees 5% in furloughs, didn't they take away their deferred compensation match, merit raises, and freeze all increases; is it done yet or are the employees going to wear the big contract payouts on their backs once again? Is this all they took or is there more?
If the regular employees are taking these cuts why isn't the City Manager, HR Manager, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Library Manager and others that got their sweet contracts updated about the time the rest of the employees were taking the cuts with a promise that it would be all of the employees. I guess that cuts didn't include everone; what a poor example. Put the truth on the table so we can see how much of our moey is being wasted, show the citizens the record. If you don't go to a Council meeting in this town you can't get information in any detail and then if you ask for information they only give you what they want you to see. Even the press is being fooled into reporting information that is not complete.
Its time for reform and City Hall needs some now; it needs leaders that set a good example not throw the employees under the train with their political answers. Cosgrove did the right thing so where were the others? Stackpoole grandstanding for Estep instead of being responsible to the citizens and talking this out with Estep and he gets caught in the middle but takes the raise. Maybe the Council is being pulled around by the nose like the last guy was while they spend this city into being on the edge of broke. Are there more layoffs coming to balance this contract and other contracts? Layoff more Firefighters? Police? Health and Safety Inspectors? Code Enforcement Officers, Planners? Mechanics? Garbage Truck Drivers? Parks? Recreation? the list is long and I don't know them all but who will run the city after they are gone; the city manager and his consultants? Will anyone show up during an emergency or keep us safe from crime or other areas of concern?
Be honest and put the cards on he table! I didn't retired here to see this city go broke!