Agenda Date: 10/20/2026
Subject:
Title
Motion to approve an amendment to the city attorney’s employment agreement
Body
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From: |
Kyle Schlachter, Mayor |
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Prepared by: |
Tracy Hooker, HR Director |
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Presentations: |
Tracy Hooker, HR Director |
PURPOSE:
To amend the city attorney’s employment agreement.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
The city council worked with a facilitator to review the city attorney’s performance and established goals and provided feedback to the city attorney. Four executive sessions were held; one on August 18, 2026, September 15, 2026, September 29, 2026, and October 6, 2026 to discuss the evaluation, provide feedback, and determine compensation. Based on the 2026 performance evaluation and market data, it was determined by council to award an overall financial compensation increase of $7,694 to the city attorney’s salary.
The city shall also continue to contribute $12,000 annually in January to the City Attorney’s 457 retirement account, all or a portion of which may be contributed toward repayment of any outstanding loan taken against the City Attorney’s 457 retirement account.
BACKGROUND:
City council hired Reid Betzing July 20, 2019 for the city attorney position. Performance evaluations are typically conducted annually, and this performance evaluation is representative of the 2026 calendar year evaluation.
Prior Actions or Discussions
Council approved the city attorney’s contract amendment in November of 2025.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The overall financial changes to the agreement are an increase in annual salary of $7,694 effective on January 1, 2027, which represents an increase of approximately 3% to the city attorney’s salary. The city attorney’s new annual salary will be $264,161.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that council approve the amended employment agreement for retention and market competitiveness.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Take no action on the city attorney’s current employment agreement.
2. Take a different action to amend the employment agreement based on council’s desire for compensation.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the proposed amendment to the city attorney’s employment agreement.