SLT council gives Kerry two-step salary increase
By Kathryn Reed
South Lake Tahoe City Manager Nancy Kerry on May 19 received a glowing review from the City Council.
“She is really one of the best city manager’s in the state,” Mayor Hal Cole told Lake Tahoe News. “If anyone deserves a raise in this community, she does.”
Nancy Kerry
Kerry, who has officially had the job since fall 2012, will receive a 4½ percent raise immediately and 2½ percent in one year. Altogether this will put her at about $185,000 a year, which is what former City Manager Tony O’Rourke was making when he left. He also had other perks like a car allowance that she has always refused.
She has a five-year rolling contract.
Cole praised Kerry’s ability to save the city about $52 million through changes to employee benefits and dealings with the now defunct Redevelopment Agency.
“The city would be in much worse condition if she were not here,” Cole said.
Cole said he is an advocate of merit raises – which this is – and not cost of living adjustments.
In the past Kerry has turned down raises the council offered.
“I wanted to take the time to prove myself and for the council to feel comfortable that I earned it,” Kerry told Lake Tahoe News.
Kerry is making a name for herself in the state with the changes she has brought about in South Lake Tahoe. The governor asked the League of California Cities to create a task force to deal with employee benefits. The league appointed her to the task force.
Kerry has also been asked to speak at the league’s annual conference in the fall about the employee and retiree benefits. She put together a panel who will speak to that topic.
A well deserved raise for a hardworking lady!
Very nice!!
Nancy Kerry has done an outstanding job as City Manager and deserves every penny she is receiving.
It is about time.
When I told my Temple that was running a deficit each year about what Nancy has done in South Lake Tahoe, it inspired the clergy and senior staff to forgo annual increases and to cut noncrucial services which in turn solicited contributions from members. We are on our way to a balanced budget.
We are indeed very lucky in South Lake Tahoe for her to have come along when she was very much needed. I wish her longevity in this position.
Absolutely well deserved.
What a breath of fresh air! Make more like her, please.
I appreciate the job you have done and are doing, Nancy! Keep up the good work!
Nancy, I appreciate all you have done and are doing for our city. Keep up the good work!
A person with intellect and vision who possesses an analytical mind and the ability to identify problems and then identify solutions. Thank you Ms. Kerry for your diligence, being available to the City 24/7, and working 12-plus hour days.
Job well done. You have made a difference.
I have to agree with the comments about Nancy Kerry.
I would say one of the best city managers we’ve ever had! Keep going Nancy and city council, and keep making the town better!
I’ve lived here for a long time and we need people that are in power, that are commitded to making SLT better.
Nancy, you’re doing that! Old Long Skiis
WONDERFUL JOB, Nancy is the best manager we have ever had. Tony was a joke a hachet man they used to clean house. Keep up the great work Nancy, Hats off to you.
Congrats Nancy. A strong validation of your successes.
100% Positive comments on LTN! Pigs can fly!
Nancy Kerry does do a great job.
Nancy actually lives here by choice & cares about this town, area, and people ~ sure makes a difference!
Congratulations Nancy! You have served the City 100 percent. We are so lucky to have you. Thank you for moving us forward as a City.
Well deserved, the hard work and the willingness to address difficult problems have made a tremendous difference to our city now and into the future.
It is a crying shame that SLT has let down their retirees who retired thinking they would be covered with medical and retirement benefits. If she has had any part in those decisions, she deserves a cut in salary not an increase. Just my two cents worth.
anne: we cannot afford public union extortion. right on, nancy
Nancy Kerry single-handedly prevented South Lake Tahoe from following other California cities into bankruptcy. That alone is an astounding feat. So much so that the governor wants her to share with other cities how she did it. Her raise is well deserved.