City manager gets pay hike

The City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to hike City Manager Ken Frank’s salary by 4.6% and to increase his monthly car and business allowance by almost $100.

The city manager’s present salary is $180,192, and after the increase it will be $188,804, Frank said.

Frank’s pay raise mirrors the cost-of-living increase ratified by the council at the July 11 meeting for members of the city’s Municipal Employees Association and increases in the salaries approved by the council a month ago for the city clerk and city treasurer.

“We would have given Mr. Frank a larger salary, but he said that because of other needs in the city, the lower amount would be appropriate,” said Councilwoman Jane Egly.

Egly and Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman served on the sub-committee that recommended the increase in Frank’s compensation package.

The increases will go into effect on Aug. 1. Another 4.6% increase in salary will take effect Aug. 1, 2007.

Frank has the option of converting his deferred compensation allowance to regular salary.

The subcommittee said the increases in the next two years will raise Frank’s salary to approx- imately the lowest of the city managers of small cities that were surveyed.

Frank’s current compensation is below the amounts paid by other cities, including Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, Brea and Tustin, in which city managers have substantial tenure, the committee reported.

Frank has been city manager of Laguna Beach for 27 years, starting Sept. 21, 1979. He previously served as assistant city manager of Berkeley. His perfor- mance is evaluated annually in January by the council.