The next Lacey city manager could earn as much as $250,000 a year in salary
Lacey City Council received an update on the search for a new city manager on Thursday, including a salary range that now tops out at $250,000 a year.
The salary range — $195,000 a year to $250,000 a year — for the job opening to replace former city manager Scott Spence will be distributed to potential applicants via what a consultant referred to as “The Profile.”
Spence recently departed Lacey to become city manager in Astoria, Oregon.
The Profile describes the city of Lacey, its amenities, its operations, its mission and values and the kind of candidate the city is looking for.
“The Profile recommended a salary range higher than maybe the (Lacey) HR department and interim city manager (Rick Walk) were looking at,” said Ray Corpuz of GMP Consultants, the firm hired to find the next city manager.
But that’s the market reality, he told the council.
“Other cities that we are working with are as high as $260,000 a year,” he said.
Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder questioned the salary range, but Corpuz reiterated that it’s what the market will bear. He reminded the council that an employment contract can be negotiated.
Council member Lenny Greenstein pointed out that he, Robin Vazquez and Ryder met with three consultant firms as part of the city manager search process, and all three gave them the same salary range.
“It’s where we needed to be if we want to be competitive,” Greenstein said.
Ryder also asked about contract negotiations and how those might play out.
Corpuz suggested the city could look at the salary as total compensation, which might include moving expenses or a housing allowance.
“Benefits that could make the salary a little lower and acceptable to you and the public when you have to make that final decision and approve an employment contract,” he said.
Council member Vazquez reminded the group that Washington state’s new salary transparency law, which took effect Jan. 1, requires that the range be spelled out.
“You can’t be cagey about the amount of money you’re offering,” she said.
The Profile is set to be distributed next week and applications are due by Feb. 19. Corpuz said they plan to concentrate on 11-12 western states, although anyone in the U.S. and New Zealand could apply.
“They have city managers in New Zealand, just for your information,” he said.
Council member Ed Kunkel asked how many applicants the city might receive.
A recent opening in Pasco, which Corpuz thought might attract 30 applicants, generated only 20. That job paid $240,000 a year.
“The market has tightened up in terms of the availability of candidates,” he said.
City manager finalists are expected to be interviewed the first week of April.
This story was originally published January 13, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
