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West Jordan • At least interim City Manager Bryce Haderlie had a sense of humor while asking for a big raise.
"There's nothing like negotiating your wage before the entire city," Haderlie joked Wednesday night in a public City Council meeting attended by all seven members, city department heads and about 20 residents.
The proposal, calling for an increase of $44,000 for a position already set at more than $110,000 annually, passed 5-2 but only after members whittled it down to about half that size.
As approved, Haderlie's salary will fall in the $130,000-$135,000 range.
Councilman Chad Nichols applauded the deal, calling it "the right thing to do" because of the double duty Haderlie has performed over the past year. Not only does he do the work of former City Manager Rick Davis, who resigned abruptly and without explanation last August, but he also retains his old responsibilities as assistant city manager.
The council gave Davis a severance package with a full year of salary and benefits, and decided it would be frugal for the city of 110,000 to leave the top post vacant during that 12-month stretch. Some council members say the vacuum that decision created helped exacerbate the divisions and sniping on the council that has at times paralyzed the city.
West Jordan is now weeks away from hiring a new permanent city manager. The council last May OK'd spending up to $24,500 to hire an executive-recruiting firm, Waters & Co. of Dallas, to conduct a nationwide search.
Haderlie is among applicants for the post.
If picked for the job, he has been promised a bonus for filling two positions for a year. If not, he will continue as assistant city manager with the beefed-up salary approved Wednesday.
The pay hike had some opposition.
Kathy Hilton, a former council member, questioned the timing of the deal. During the public comment period of the meeting, she asked city leaders to wait to decide salary until a new manager is selected. She also called the proposed increase too much, arguing it was equivalent to an entire year's wages for some residents.
Mayor Kim Rolfe and Councilman Chris McConnehey voted against the increase.
"I don't know that now is the right time," said McConnehey, one of three council members up for election this year. "I do have concerns."
McConnehey fears increasing Haderlie's salary could have a ripple effect throughout the city, setting a precedent for other employees with extra responsibilities.
Council members Judy Hansen and Sophie Rice, who also face voters Nov. 3, joined Nichols, Ben Southworth and Jeff Haaga in voting for the pay hike.
Haderlie took the criticism and questions in stride, saying the original request for a $44,000 bump was "on the higher end of the scale," and intended as an opening amount in negotiations.
Southworth praised Haderlie and defended the raise.
"I think you've done a commendable job," he said.
He also hailed the council's ability to compromise in reaching the final amount, saying, "It feels good to work together."
The council meeting followed a contentious closed-door session during which, Southworth and Nichols alleged, Haaga yelled at a city attorney and behaved inappropriately. Haaga, who walked out of the closed-door meeting early, rejected those accusations and defended his behavior.
Twitter: @CourtneyLTanner