Looks like the city council is considering giving Jim Couch, our city manager another raise. His last raise was in 2001. Personally, I'm all in favor of it. He's no different than any other CEO....if anything, he manages a lot larger corporation...a city. He has great talents...we should definitely reward those. What do you guys think?

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"What should you do to keep the CEO of a successful firm? City Council faces issue in reviewing Couch
by Brian Brus
The Journal Record
12/21/2004

How much is it worth to keep a chief executive of four years managing a 4,300-person staff and property interests over 622 square miles? Keep in mind he has a niche consumer base of just under 1 million people, and he has to deal face-to-face with elected politicians on a daily basis.
The Oklahoma City Council will decide today in executive session, as City Manager Jim Couch faces a review of his performance, salary and benefits.

City Clerk Frances Kersey confirmed Couch's current pay rate is $156,000, with an annual allowance of $7,000 for personal expenses associated with the job.

Couch hasn't received a pay adjustment since 2001, which raised him from his starting pay of $133,500 to where he is now. He was appointed city manager in November 2000. Among the responsibilities of his job are serving on the Oklahoma City Airport Trust, the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust, the Oklahoma City Zoological Trust, and the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority. He also is general manager of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area School Trust.

City Auditor Susan J. McNitt and Municipal Counselor William R. Burkett also are up for review today. McNitt's pay rate is $102,500 with an annual allowance of $3,000; Burkett's is $119,997 with an annual allowance of $3,000.

McNitt's salary also has remained steady since 2001. She was hired in 1996 at an annual rate of $69,000. Burkett hasn't received a pay adjustment since he was hired in 2002.

City officials could not reveal details of potential salary adjustments; such personnel matters are protected under state law."