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ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING CITY ATTORNEY LORI M. ASUNCION’S FIRST AMENDED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, AUTHORIZE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE FIRST AMENDED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, AND AUTHORIZE STAFF TO AMEND THE CITY OF STOCKTON SALARY SCHEDULE TO REFLECT THE INCREASE IN CITY ATTORNEY BASE SALARY AND IMPLEMENT THE TERMS OF THE FIRST AMENDED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the First Amended Employment Agreement for Lori M. Asuncion, City Attorney for the City of Stockton, authorize Mayor, on behalf of the City Council to execute the First Amended Employment Agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of employment with
Ms. Asuncion, effective October1, 2024, and authorize City Staff to amend the City of Stockton salary schedule to reflect increase in the City Attorney’s base salary and implement the other terms and conditions in the First Amended Employment Agreement.
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Summary
The City wishes to remain competitive in the marketplace, to retain Ms. Asuncion’s legal and institutional knowledge, leadership, continuity and stability for the City, the City Council, City Staff, and within the City Attorney’s Office, and acknowledge
Ms. Asuncion’s valued performance over the past two years.
DISCUSSION
Ms. Asuncion was appointed as the City Attorney in Stockton in September 2022. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Asuncion was a Deputy City Attorney with the City for almost 11 and the Assistant City Attorney for 4 years. She is a graduate of the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. Ms. Asuncion has provided the City with valued legal advice and representation for 17 years.
In the Spring and early Summer of 2024, the City Council authorized an extensive performance evaluation of Mr. Asuncion, facilitated by outside counsel. The evaluation included surveys, interviews with every department head and deputy department head in the City for feedback on Ms. Asuncion’s performance. This performance evaluation was the first evaluation for Ms. Asuncion as the City Attorney.
Ms. Asuncion’s 2022 employment agreement includes a five-year term, which would conclude in September 2027. The City wishes to remain competitive in the marketplace, to retain Ms. Asuncion’s leadership, maintain continuity and stability for the City’s legal representation and acknowledge Ms. Asuncion’s valued contributions over the past two years.
The proposed first amendment to the employment agreement includes the following salary and benefit provisions for City Council consideration:
• Increase current base annual salary from $289,224 to $318,146, a 10% increase, effective the first full pay period following adopting of this amendment.
• Create a budget of $7,000 per year for professional development including membership in professional organizations, attendance at conferences and advanced legal certifications.
All other terms and conditions of the employment agreement would remain unchanged. The terms and conditions of the first employment agreement are similar to other city attorneys in comparable jurisdictions.
The City Council is cognizant of the proposed increases and this amendment is an acknowledgment of the City Council’s assessment and positive evaluation of the City Attorney’s performance.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Sufficient funds are available in the Fiscal 2024-2025 budget.