NORTH RICHLAND HILLS -- City employees will receive on average a 2 percent pay raise effective Oct. 1, including City Manager Mark Hindman, whose contract has been extended by three years.
Bedford and Hurst, which have similar demographics, also plan to give their employees raises during the upcoming fiscal year. The raises will be Bedford's first in three years, an official said.The North Richland Hills pay increase will raise Hindman's salary to $176,868 a year. He is the highest-paid city employee.The City Council voted 7-0 Monday to extend his contract after evaluating him behind closed doors. Mayor Oscar Trevino said the council gave Hindman an overall rating of 4.85 on a 5-point scale. He said he is glad that Hindman will remain at the helm.Hindman called North Richland Hills an excellent community led by a public-service-oriented council and an outstanding city staff. "I'm blessed to be here," he said.The raises will cost the city about $300,000 during the coming fiscal year, Hindman said.The council approved them Sept. 10 as part of the $40.7 million operating budget. Hindman went to bat for city employees to get them the merit raise, saying the increase will keep the city pay rate competitive with area communities.Employees received a 2 percent increase in fiscal 2011-12 after receiving no raises the year before.In Bedford, employees will receive on average a 2 percent pay increase in April after three years of no raises, said Jill McAdams, the city's human resources director. Full-time city employees will also receive a $1,000 lump-sum payment, she said.Part-time employees will receive a lump-sum payment based on hours worked, McAdams said.In Hurst, employees will receive a 2 percent pay increase effective Oct. 1, spokeswoman Ashleigh Johnson said.Full-time employees will receive a one-time payment of $650. Part-time employees will receive $100.About 30 percent of employees will also get a market adjustment -- a bump in pay to keep their salaries competitive with those in other area communities. City employees received raises and lump-sum payments during the past two fiscal years after receiving no raises during fiscal 2010, Johnson said.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
