Sequim City Councilors seem to like what City Manager Charlie Bush is doing.
Following their Aug. 4 evaluation of his performance, they voted 6-0 with Jennifer States absent to increase his pay by 2 percent for a merit increase (about $2,622 more) and 1.5 percent for a cost of living adjustment.
He’ll also receive travel expenses not to exceed $3,500 to visit Sequim’s sister city Shiso City, Japan in 2019, to work on establishing a staff exchange program. Bush will receive a city-issued cell phone for the city rather than using his personal cell phone, as part of the agreement, too.
City staff report, Bush’s annual salary increases to $139,345 effective Jan. 1, 2019, with his salary and benefits totaling just over $197,000.
Bush received an overall score of 9.0, or excellent, based on 12 areas, at his review.
His high points ranged from 9.2 for commitment, decision-making, and management to 8.4 for employee relations, interagency relations, and council-city manager partnerships.
“We continue to be very pleased with Charlie’s performance,” said Mayor Dennis Smith in a press release.
Facilitator David Mercier with Kenbrio, Inc. of Portland, reported that “the City Council indicated their appreciation of the City Manager’s commitment, vision, credibility, trustworthiness, innovation and accomplished leadership; all of which results in Sequim being on the map as a player.”
“I am grateful for the positive working relationship that I have with the City Council and the opportunity they provide me to serve our community,” Bush said. “This evaluation reflects positively on my performance and on the organization as well.”
Bush, who recently completed a a three-week Harvard Senior Executive Program said he plans to be in Sequim in the foreseeable future and hasn’t contemplated working other places.
Mercier wrote in his report that city councilors want to turn Bush’s attention and support to multiple areas, including:
• Personnel policies reflecting employee oriented provisions
• Assuring adequate managerial coverage when senior staff absences may overlap
• Achieving policies that balance development and community interests
• Broadening staff expertise within the Community Development Department
• Seeking to reduce unreasonably restrictive or confusing business regulations
• Continuing to refine and implement on-boarding procedures for new city council members
Bush began working as City Manager in August 2015.
For more information on Bush’s evaluation, contact Smith at (360) 477-4936 or dsmith@sequimwa.gov.
Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
