NLV city manager agrees to pay cut, contract extension

By Jeff Pope

Wednesday, June 3, 2009 | 11:09 p.m.

North Las Vegas City Manager Gregory Rose won't be leaving his post any time soon. He's now locked in through 2013 as City Council approved a two-year extension of his contract Wednesday night. His contract was set to expire in 2011.

The extension was part of a trade off deal for Rose, who took a 5 percent pay cut, which he said was to show solidarity with city employees who recently gave up cost-of-living increases and agreed to other concessions.

Rose proposed the contract, approved 3-2 by council, but said he needed "protections.” The new contract runs through September 2013.

Rose is an "at-will" employee, meaning the council has the authority to terminate him at their discretion and isn’t obligated to keep him in place through 2013.

"These are difficult times but if we stick together ... we can make it through this tough economic downturn without anyone losing their jobs," Rose said.

Renegotiated contracts with the three unions representing city employees cut $11.3 million from the city's 2009-2010 budget. Before the union agreements were reached, the city was facing a $16.8 million shortfall in its budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

Under the deal, Rose took a salary cut and agreed to forgo a scheduled cost-of-living increase. In 2007, he signed a four-year deal that paid him a base salary of $194,288.77 with two $6,000 cost-of-living increases. The new contract knocks his base pay down about $11,000.

Rose also forgoes his $300 per month vehicle allowance, the city's match to his 401k retirement plan and his annual health exam, he said.

Rose said there were rumors that he was planning on leaving the position.

"I have no intention of leaving. I am very happy here," he said. "But by no means will I ever stay somewhere that I do not believe I am valued."

Councilmen Robert Eliason and William Robinson voted against the contract, saying they disapproved of the extension.

Eliason said the deal removes the annual evaluation of Rose and that he wanted to wait until after the council changes over following Tuesday's election.

Council members Eliason and Stephanie Smith said they received Rose's proposal shortly before Wednesday's meeting.

Mayor-elect Shari Buck, a 10-year member of the city council, praised Rose for his handling of the city budget.

"I think you put the city in as comfortable a position as we can be in at this time," she said. "I appreciate your leadership as the city manager."