City Manager: Don't Give me a Pay Raise

Kent City Manager Dave Ruller said he didn't want a pay raise, and Kent City Council listened to him tonight by voting but to extend his contract by two years.

On council's agenda tonight was a motion to extend Ruller's contract and — the same raise the rest of the city's employees got this year.

But Ruller pre-empted the vote by telling council he didn't want a raise in light of the city's uncertain financial state. The city's income tax revenues have declined in recent years, and though they are recovering somewhat, departmental budgets have remained flat in recent years.

"I would feel better holding the line on my compensation," Ruller told council members.

Ruller's current salary is $113,359. If approved, the raise would have boosted that to $116,193.

Council members responded by debating whether they wanted to honor Ruller's request or give him the cost-of-living raise every other city employee received this year.

"This is a tough one," Councilwoman Heidi Shaffer said.

Look for the full story Thursday on Kent Patch.