Newport city manager may get 4% pay raise

June Casagrande

Council members on Tuesday are expected to give City Manager Homer

Bludau a 4% raise, which would bring his total yearly compensation to

$186,645.

“We feel that Homer has really brought the city staff together and

is doing a really good job,” said City Councilman Don Webb, who along

with councilman John Heffernan and Mayor Tod Ridgeway made up the

committee that recommend the increase.

Bludau’s current salary is $178,505 plus $7,410 in health benefits

for a total compensation of $185,645. Unlike managers of some other

cities, Bludau does not receive a car allowance. His proposed raise

would bring his base salary to $186,645 and his total compensation to

$194,055.

Bludau said he suggested applying the raise for two years, even

though his contract is renewable annually. He said that this will

save the city from having to raise his salary again next year, when

budgets might be even tighter.

“I feel like the budget situation next year is going to be very

difficult so I proposed that I get a one-time 4% increase and the

second time I don’t get an increase,” Bludau said. “I think that’s

fair considering the financial situation the city might be in next

year.”

Bludau added that the 4% raise is on par with raises for other

groups in the city, such as police and fire employees.

The committee came up with its recommendation after reviewing city

manager’s salaries throughout Orange County. Right now, Bludau’s pay

is ranked 15 out of 23 cities surveyed. With the raise, he would move

up to the 13 of 23. The city with the highest-paid manager in the

county is the city of Orange, which pays $228,986.

Unlike most employees in the city, Bludau answers directly to the

city council. He has an individual contract with the city, which is

usually renegotiated every year.