Horne lowers salary request

As city manager, Bill Horne would earn $120,000 a year, plus a one-time bonus of $10,000.

By CHRISTINA HEADRICK

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 31, 2001

CLEARWATER -- Interim City Manager Bill Horne, set to become city manager officially once the City Commission approves his employment contract Thursday, has lowered his requested annual salary from $130,000 to $120,000.

On top of his proposed $120,000 salary, Horne's contract would entitle him to a one-time bonus of $10,000. The extra funds would compensate Horne for serving as interim manager for a year before being chosen recently to do the job indefinitely.

The deal comes after some commissioners questioned whether the originally proposed $130,000 salary was too much. The city's last manager made $110,000, and the proposed salary would have been more than top administrators in Pinellas County, St. Petersburg and Tampa are paid.

Commissioners declined to debate the contract at their Monday workshop, but interviews with commissioners suggest a majority are now ready to approve the revised contract.

Mayor Brian Aungst and Commissioner Hoyt Hamilton felt that the original $130,000 annual salary request seemed reasonable -- before Horne lowered his salary bid.

Hamilton approves of the new deal.

"It's a little bit of a compromise," Hamilton said. "And it brings the annual salary down."

Commissioner Bill Jonson also approves. Jonson said a $120,000 salary seems more appropriate than the previous proposal, given Horne's three years of experience in city government after a career in the Air Force.

Although it's true that some Florida cities of comparable size do pay more, according to a city salary survey, they might be employing more experienced managers, Jonson said.

"This way, we have more of an opportunity to recognize improvements going forward in (Horne's) performance," Jonson said.

As for the proposed bonus, Jonson seems likely to support that, too.

"(Horne has) done a pretty good job of putting the city back together . . . putting more focus and discipline back in the city," Jonson said. "I think he should get credit for that."

Commissioner Ed Hart was much more critical of the previous $130,000 salary proposal. Hart said he did not find a 30-percent increase in Horne's $100,000 salary to be appropriate, given Horne's limited experience in city government.

Hart also seemed displeased with the $120,000 salary request with the $10,000 one-time bonus now in Horne's contract.

Hart said that Horne was given a raise last year for serving as acting city manager after Mike Roberto resigned. The city then increased Horne's salary from $94,640 to his current pay of $100,000 annually.

"There are a number of things I want to do with the budget to try to save money," Hart said. "'I don't think this is a good idea."

Commissioner Whitney Gray has been on vacation and could not be reached for comment.

Horne said he is satisfied with the employment contract.

The contract would require the city to pay a sum equal to 15 percent of his salary into a city pension plan and allows Horne to take 35 days of general leave annually.

Additionally, Horne would be covered under a variety of insurance plans and receive a $600 monthly car allowance. He would be eligible for a minimum of six months up to a year of severance pay if fired with no cause given.

"Sure, I'm pleased with it," Horne said. "I just hope they're pleased with it," he added, alluding to the City Commission.

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