Council gives raises to LV officials

Dan Kulin

Thursday, June 2, 2005 | 10:59 a.m.

The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday approved sizable pay raises for the city manager and city attorney and gave the city auditor a pay raise plus a one-time bonus.

City Manager Doug Selby's salary will increase almost 15.5 percent as a result of the council action. City Attorney Brad Jerbic's salary will increase about 13.4 percent, and City Auditor Radford Snelding will receive a 5 percent raise plus a $7,727 bonus. The raises will take effect June 19.

Mayor Oscar Goodman said the raises were the council's way of showing its appreciation for the top city executives, and added that he's sure they could make much more money in the private sector.

City Councilman Steve Wolfson said he took into account how much other area government executives are paid.

Each of the raises were approved by a 7-0 council vote.

The raises put Selby's and Jerbic's salaries well above their North Las Vegas counterparts, but still leave them below their peers in Henderson.

Selby is paid $163,807 a year now. The council approved a 5 percent merit raise and a 10 percent salary adjustment for Selby, which will raise his salary to $189,196.

"Everybody was glowing in their praise of you," the mayor said after the council adjourned a closed-door meeting to discuss the three top-level employees.

Goodman said Selby has shown devotion, loyalty and vision, and the raise is "our showing of appreciation to you."

Goodman added that if Selby were working in the private sector he would be making twice as much as he is with the city.

The raise will put Selby's annual salary between his peers in the neighboring cities.

North Las Vegas City Manager Gregory Rose's annual salary is $163,710. Rose also receives a car allowance of $300 a month. Selby and Jerbic also receive a $500-a-month car allowance.

While Henderson City Manager Phil Speight's salary is $191,240 a year, he also receives a monthly car allowance of $750.

Clark County Manager Thom Reilly is paid $184,009 a year and receives a monthly car allowance of $600. Reilly is expected to ask for a 3 percent pay raise next week, a county spokeswoman said.

Jerbic is paid $142,871 now. The council approved a 5 percent merit increase and an 8 percent salary adjustment for Jerbic, which will bring his salary to $162,016.

Goodman said Jerbic's "legal acumen is without peer" and added that in the private sector Jerbic could make three or four times more money and work half the hours he does for the city.

The raise will put Jerbic's salary above North Las Vegas City Attorney Sean McGowan's -- McGowan is paid $149,500 a year -- but his pay will remain below Henderson City Attorney Shauna Hughes'. Hughes is paid $173,828 a year, and also receives a $450 a month car allowance.

Snelding, a department head, is paid $110,389 now. The council approved a 5 percent merit increase for Snelding, plus a 7 percent bonus. Snelding's salary after the raise will be $115,908, and the bonus will be $7,727.

North Las Vegas does not have a city auditor at this time, but the position pays $69,470 to $102,468, and is under the city's finance director.

County Audit Department Director Jerry Carroll is paid $143,171 a year, and receives a $400-a-month car allowance. Henderson has an internal auditor who reports to the finance director and is paid $98,515 a year.