It is hard to believe nearly six months have passed since I started as your City Administrator November 12, 2018.  I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Billings and have thoroughly enjoyed learning about our community and organization.  There have been no shortage of challenges, which is one of the reasons I love this work.
   
My focus during this time has been to get to know the community and organization, to lay the foundation for our staff leadership team to work collaboratively, help the Council determine their priorities, and begin assessing the organization’s strengths and weaknesses.  Additionally, my first six months were impacted by two significant projects: One Big Sky and the 66^th Legislative Session.  I feel that I am off to a good start; however, the 11 of you are the true judge of that.

Enclosed is a copy of the evaluation form that I propose we use for my annual evaluations.  This is the same form Billings used to evaluate Mrs. Volek’s performance and is nearly identical to the one I used over the past fifteen years.  After talking with the Mayor and our most senior Councilmember Dick Clark, we suggest using the form as a guide for our conversation on May 13.  Since I have been here for such a short period, you do not need to fill it out but you are welcome to, skipping any questions you need more time to assess.  In that same vain, you do not have to give the form back to me, however you are welcome to, if it can help me improve my performance.  If you like the form, we will use it this fall to complete my annual evaluation. 

I intend to exercise my privacy rights and go into an Executive Session to discuss my performance.  Over my career, I have learned this is the best way to have an honest conversation.  I believe the discussion will be more candid without the distractions of an audience and cameras.  It is my goal to be an excellent leader of this organization and in order to do so; I need each of you to be completely upfront with me. 

After the executive session is over, I ask that the Council consider the following section of my Employment Agreement.     B.       Not later than May 16, 2019, the Employer will evaluate the Employee’s performance against the Employer’s identified six-month goals.  The Employer agrees to consider increasing the compensation of the Employee dependent upon the results of the performance evaluation not to exceed five percent (5%) of annual base salary.

This paragraph was included as a part of the contract negotiations with the idea that, IF I performed at a high level, my salary may be adjusted by no more than 5% after six months.  This was important to me because, with over 20 years of city management experience, I believed it is reasonable to be paid the average pay for city administrators for a city of similar size to Billings.  The 2017 International City/County Managers Association (ICMA) compensation survey results show an average pay of $187,300 for a city of 50,000 – 99,999 and $224,700 for a city of 100,000 – 249,999.  This is a blunt survey instrument, however I believe it is reasonable and we discussed it during my contract negotiations.  My current base salary is $179,000.  A 5% adjustment will increase this base to $187,950.  I appreciate your consideration, and am committed to serving at the best of my ability, whatever the outcome of this discussion.

I also attached the 2019/20 City Council Priorities that were adopted March 11 and the written feedback some of you gave me in my first week when I asked your individual perspective on 6, 12 and 18 month goals.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve Billings.  It is an honor to be your city administrator.
 

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If the Council does not approve an increase to the City Administrator's base salary there is no fiscal effect.  If the Council approves a 5% adjustment, the City Administrator's base salary will increase by $8,950.

Consistent with the Employment Agreement, the Council should perform the six month evaluation and consider adjusting the City Administrator's base salary commensurate with the evaluation.