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Manager rewarded with praise and a raise

Seminole's city manager gets the maximum increase after the City Council gives him a glowing evaluation.

By ANNE LINDBERG
Published July 16, 2006

SEMINOLE - City leaders gave City Manager Frank Edmunds high marks in his annual evaluation, along with the highest possible raise allowed under Seminole's system.

Edmunds, 55, will see his salary jump 2.5 percent to $118,073 as soon as the City Council approves the package at an upcoming meeting.

He'll also get a 3 percent cost of living increase Oct. 1, along with other city employees. That bump will boost his salary to about $121,615, taking him to the top of the city's salary range for the post.

The consensus to increase Edmunds' salary came last Tuesday during a workshop when members evaluated his job performance.

"We all know it's not easy when you're dealing with seven of us," especially when the debate gets "emotional," Seminole Mayor Dottie Reeder said.

"The budget is the most important thing we work on. Seminole's budget is superb."

Reeder was referring to the fact that Seminole's property tax rate will decrease in the upcoming fiscal year, the seventh time that has happened.

"He is the ultimate professional. He is gracious and intelligent," council member Jimmy Johnson said.

Council member Pat Hartstein also praised Edmunds: "Never once has he shown a negative emotion."

Edmunds thanked the council members for their support.

"I do try to be responsible and fulfill my obligations," he said. "This year has been a good one from my perspective."

Edmunds' evaluation went more smoothly this year than last.

That evaluation sparked a three-month battle over the extension of Edmunds' contract.

Some council members did not want it extended to 2013 with a lump sum payment of all time remaining should he leave.

That could have left the city on the hook for $1-million, depending on Edmunds' departure date, if he were to leave or be fired.

The battle brought out local business owners who rallied for Edmunds and urged the council to extend and ratify the amendments to the contract.

In December, council members compromised, extending his contract until 2013 but giving him only two years' severance. Those clauses remain in effect.

This year, Edmunds' ratings ranged from Dan Hester's 56 points to Jimmy Johnson's 68 points. The highest possible was 72 points.

Reeder, who gave Edmunds a 48 last year, rated him at a 65 this year.

[Last modified July 15, 2006, 23:39:23]