Agenda Date: 11/18/2025
Subject:
Title
Motion to approve an amendment to the city manager's employment agreement
Body
From:
Kyle Schlachter, Mayor
Prepared by:
Tracy Hooker, HR Director
Presentations:
Tracy Hooker, HR Director
PURPOSE:
To amend the city manager's employment agreement.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
The city council worked with a facilitator to review the city manager's performance and established goals and provided feedback to the city manager. Two executive sessions were held; one on October 14, 2025, and another on October 21, 2025, to discuss the evaluation, provide feedback, and determine compensation. Based on the 2025 performance evaluation and market data, it was determined by council to award an overall financial compensation increase of $7,623 to the city manager's salary.
In addition, upon signing the fourth amendment of the city manager's employment agreement, the city manager will become eligible for vacation rollover / payout of any hours exceeding 200 at the end of the calendar year.
BACKGROUND:
City council hired James Becklenberg on July 6, 2022, for the city manager position. Performance evaluations are typically conducted annually, and this performance evaluation is representative of the 2025 calendar year evaluation.
Prior Actions or Discussions
Council last approved an amendment to the city manager's contract in December of 2024.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The overall financial changes to the agreement are an increase in annual salary of $7,623 effective on January 1, 2026, which represents an increase of approximately 3% to the city manager's salary. The city manager's new annual salary will be $261,739.
Additionally, there is a financial impact based on the number of hours the city manager chooses to have paid out once their balance reaches greater than 200 hours annually. The number of hours selected for payout is subject to change annually.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended...
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