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ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING CITY MANAGER HARRY E. BLACK’S SECOND AMENDED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, AUTHORIZE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE SECOND AMENDED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, AND AUTHORIZE STAFF TO AMEND THE CITY OF STOCKTON SALARY SCHEDULE TO REFLECT THE INCREASE IN CITY MANAGER BASE SALARY AND IMPLEMENT THE TERMS OF THE SECOND AMENDED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt a resolution approving the Second Amended Employment Agreement for Harry E. Black, City Manager for the City of Stockton.
2. Authorize the Mayor, on behalf of the City Council, to execute the Second Amended Employment Agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of employment with Mr. Black, effective August 20, 2024.
3. Authorize City Staff to amend the City of Stockton salary schedule to reflect the increase to the City Manager’s base salary and implement the other terms and conditions in the Second Amended Employment Agreement.
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Summary
The City wishes to remain competitive in the marketplace, to retain Mr. Black’s leadership, maintain continuity and stability for the community, and ensure the City Council’s priorities are being implemented. In acknowledgement of Mr. Black’s valued performance over the past few years, the City Council is asked to consider and approve a Second Amended Employment Agreement for Harry E. Black, City Manager for the City of Stockton.
DISCUSSION
Mr. Black was appointed as the City Manager in Stockton in January 2020 after a nationwide search. Prior to his tenure in the City of Stockton, Mr. Black was the Finance Director for the City of Baltimore and the City Manager of the City of Cincinnati. Mr. Black has an extensive background and a wealth of experience in public administration.
In the Spring and early Summer of 2024, the City Council authorized an extensive performance evaluation of Mr. Black, facilitated by outside counsel. The evaluation included surveys, interviews with every department head and deputy department head in the city, as well as outreach to the union leadership for feedback on Mr. Black’s performance.
Mr. Black’s 2020 employment agreement included an initial five-year term, which would conclude in February 2025. The City wishes to remain competitive in the marketplace, to retain Mr. Black’s leadership, maintain continuity and stability for the community and the City Council’s priorities, and acknowledge Mr. Black’s valued performance over the past few years.
The proposed second amendment to the employment agreement includes the following salary and benefit provisions for City Council consideration:
• Increase current base annual salary from $322,285 to $348,068, approximately 8%, effective the first full pay period following adopting of this amendment.
• Increase employer contribution from 12.5% to 17% into a 401(a) deferred compensation retirement plan.
All other terms and conditions of the employment agreement would remain unchanged. The terms and conditions of the second employment agreement are similar to other city managers 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 Manager’s performance.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Sufficient funds are available in the Fiscal 2024-2025 budget.