Jason Behrmann is top candidate for Galt city manager

With three-and-a-half years under his belt as Galt's assistant city manager, Jason Behrmann is the top candidate to replace Ted Anderson as city manager.

The Galt City Council will likely finalize the hire by inking Behrmann's three-year contract at its meeting tonight. During his first year, Behrmann will make the same salary as Anderson is currently making at $144,084. Then, the council will set a list of goals for Behrmann's first year and if he reaches them his salary will jump to $159,000.

Jason Behrmann

Having always been a proponent for performance-based pay, Councilman Darryl Clare said he believes the raise will be a reward for some tough challenges the council will ask Behrmann to address. The raise will coincide with Behrmann saving the city substantial money by meeting the council's goals, Clare said.

"There should be a consequence for performance — both a positive one for good performance and a negative for poor performance," Clare said. "People are always saying it doesn't seem there are any consequences in government."

Councilwoman Barbara Payne also agreed that the city should base Behrmann's salary increase on his first year instead of just automatically giving him the increase.

"I'm not in favor of automatic step raises, so he should be based on performance," Payne said.

Councilman Andrew Meredith is fine with the raise because he does not believe the city will hire another assistant city manager, so Behrmann will be doing all of the work.

"We are eliminating another position that pays way in excess of $100,000. Even with the pay increase, with the completion of the goals set forth, the city is going to save a considerable amount of money by having one person handle the work load," Meredith said.

Meredith, who has never approved of an assistant city manager, said it makes no sense to have one now when there is less building activity. Payne said she does not think the council will fill the position because of the economy.

Behrmann was the city's first assistant manager when he joined the staff in 2006. Before then, Economic Development Director Curt Campion split the duties of assistant city manager and planning director.

Under the proposed contract, Behrmann will start as city manager on Nov. 4. Anderson will continue as a special adviser until the end of the year. Anderson will then use his vacation, with his official retirement date being Feb. 10, 2010.

The council decided to hire Behrmann to the city's top position instead of doing a state or nationwide search.

At first, Councilman Andrew Meredith wanted to do an outside search, but the economy changed his mind.

"Spending money to find a head hunting firm to come back and tell us what we already knew, that Jason is the right candidate, seemed like a poor use of taxpayer money," Meredith said.

Payne also agreed that the city should not spend money on a search. It also is less of a risk because the City Council can fire the city manager, she said.

But she believes Behrmann is perfect for the job and has ingrained himself in the community.

"He's been out into the community, the people know him, he knows the people," she said. "I've been happy with his performance."

As the chair of the Planning Commission, Marylou Powers said Behrmann is the logical choice to take over for Anderson.

"He just has a flair for getting out there and taking care of things that are important in the community," she said.

Both Clare and Meredith also agreed that Behrmann is the right choice.

"He's progressive about his leadership style," Meredith said. "He's been able to get broad support in the community. Both sides of the political spectrum wanted to see Jason Behrmann as the new city manager."

Contact reporter Maggie Creamer at maggiec@lodinews.com or read her blog at www.lodinews.com/blogs/citybuzz.

Meeting in brief

Issue: The Galt City Council will most likely hire Assistant City Manager Jason Behrmann to replace outgoing City Manager Ted Anderson.

When and where: 7 p.m. tonight, Galt City Hall, 380 Civic Drive.

Jason Behrmann's pay and benefits

Here is what Jason Behrmann will receive in his proposed contract if he becomes city manager:

Salary: During his first year, Behrmann will make the same salary as Anderson is currently making, at $144,084. Then, the council will set a list of goals for Behrmann's first year and if he reaches them his salary will jump to $159,000. He is not eligible for any overtime pay.

Health benefits and retirement: Behrmann will receive the same benefits as other management employees, including family coverage for medical, dental and vision. The city will also pay 100 percent of the employee's and employer's contributions into the Public Employee Retirement System.

Vacation: Behrmann will have 160 hours — or four weeks — of vacation. He will be able to receive the cash value for any of it that is unused.

Administrative leave: He will have 80 hours — or two weeks — of administrative leave, which is the same as other management employees.

Sick leave: He will receive 96 hours — or 2 weeks and two days — of sick time a year. When he leaves the city, he will be reimbursed for any unused sick leave.

Car allowance: Every month, Behrmann will receive $300 as a car allowance.

Reimbursement: He will be reimbursed for business expenses, including travel, cell phone use and memberships in community organization in which he represents the city.

Deferred compensation: The city will contribute 6 percent of the his base salary to a deferred compensation account, which is the equivalent of a private sector retirement account.

News-Sentinel staff

Reader Feedback

Galtguy wrote on Nov 3, 2009 9:16 PM:

" So let me get this straight.

The current outgoing Mgr. made 144K when he left. The incoming is going to start at the SAME salary and he has no experience as a Mgr except at the assistant level? Shouldn't he start at a lower level and work his way up?

I'm sure like most of you when I replace an experienced person at my work I don't start out at the salary the experienced person was at, do you? "

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