Report Prepared by: Frank Quintero, Deputy City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Adoption of Resolutions Amending the Annual Base Salary and Approving the Publicly Adopted Pay Scale for the City Attorney, City Manager, and Finance Officer as Set Forth in the Proposed First and Second Amendments to the Employment Agreements
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers adopting Resolutions to adopt the annual base salaries and the publicly adopted pay scales for the City Attorney, City Manager, and Finance Officer as set forth in the proposed First and Second Amendments to the Employment Agreements.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving the Employment Agreements with the City Attorney, City Manager and Finance Officer; and,
B. Adopting Resolution 2025-35, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California amending the salary range for the City Attorney; and,
C. Adopting Resolution 2025-36, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California amending the salary range for the City Manager; and,
D. Adopting Resolution 2025-37, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California amending the salary range for the Finance Officer;
E. Authorizing June 9, 2025, as the effective date of the respective Agreement Amendments for the City Attorney, City Manager, and Finance Officer; and,
F. Authorizing staff to submit the adopted Resolutions to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) for confirmation of annual salary amounts and pay scales.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Refer Resolutions back to the City Council for further review; or,
2. Take no action.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Sections 200, 300, 500 and 600.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As Provided in the 2024/25 Adopted Budget
DISCUSSION
On December 5, 2023, the Merced City Council unanimously approved an Employment Agreement with City Attorney, Craig J. Cornwell. The proposed First Amendment to the agreement seeks to incorporate currently compensated “Premium Pay” and “Vehicle Allowance” into the base salary for the City Attorney.
On September 18, 2023, the Merced City Council unanimously approved an employment agreement with D. Scott McBride, effective November 16, 2023. The proposed First Amendment to the agreement seeks to incorporate currently compensated “Premium Pay” and “Vehicle Allowance” into the base salary of the City Manager.
On February 1, 2021, the Merced City Council unanimously approved an Employment Agreement with M. Venus Rodriguez. The second amendment to the agreement seeks to incorporate the currently compensated “Vehicle Allowance” into base salary and also to separately increase the base salary.
Approval of the Amendments to the Employment Agreements for City Attorney, City Manager and Finance Officer is requested. Also requested is the Adoption of Resolutions 2025-35, 2025-36, and 2025-37 for the purpose of adopting the annual base salary and the publicly adopted pay scale for each position.
Effective Date: Should Council authorize the Resolutions and Amended Agreements, staff is requesting the City Council to approve June 9, 2025, as the effective start date, which is the beginning of a new pay period and allows ample time for Payroll to make the necessary adjustments.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No Appropriate of Funds is Needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution 2025-35 & City Attorney Employment Agreement
2. Resolution 2025-36 & City Manager Employment Agreement
3. Resolution 2025-37 & Finance Officer Employment Agreement