Cincinnati City Manager Harry Black is getting a nearly $7,500 pay raise. City Council approved the increase Wednesday after an hour long debate.
Some council members complained the action came with no formal evaluation of the city manager.
Mayor John Cranley said council can do such an evaluation.
“I don’t feel like it’s my job to have council do its job,” Cranley said. “I think council should adopt any evaluation review process it wants. I meet with the manager once a week. I gave him a personal review. I’m comfortable with where I am with the manager.”
Black received a 1.5 percent cost of living adjustment already built into the city budget, and council approved a 3 percent merit increase on top of that. His new annual salary is $256,135.36.
Council Member Yvette Simpson was one of four “no” votes against the raise.
“I’m not going to vote in favor of a raise today because I don’t see any evidence of its justification from a review,” Simpson said. “I just don’t think that’s the appropriate way to go forward.”
Council members who supported the pay raise said it was justified and praised the manager's accomplishments in the last year.
