Imperial Beach city manager, employees get raise

Imperial Beach City Council members agreed Wednesday that city employees should get a raise.

Their unanimous vote triggered a set of raises for both City Manager Andy Hall and most other city employees.

For Hall, the Council approved a 2.5 percent pay increase to set his annual salary at $210,100, retroactive to August. By June 17 of next year, he is expected to receive a 3.5 percent raise to set his base salary at $217,400, according to his contract.

He will also receive a one-time retention stipend of $10,000. Assistant City Manager Erika Cortez-Martinez said the pay is “just to bring him equivalent to similarly situated cities in San Diego County.”

“Are we at risk of losing our city manager? Well, if we don’t pay him adequately and provide adequate compensation,” said Mayor Serge Dedina, who expressed respect for Hall’s work ethic and dedication to Imperial Beach.

The move comes after a performance evaluation conducted by the City Council in August and marks Hall’s eighth raise since he was hired in August 2013 to manage Imperial Beach, which currently has about 121 employees for a city population of about 26,000.

Council members, as well as a local resident, shared appreciation during Wednesday’s council meeting for Hall’s work, particularly for his leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“(Hall) just brings compassion, and he definitely goes over and beyond his normal responsibilities. He’s accessible. I can reach out to him and he’ll respond in a timely manner when I have questions, concerns,” said Councilmember Matthew Leyba-Gonzalez. “It’s just a prime reflection of his commitment and his work ethic, and how much he loves his city.”

“If we have to say anything about Andy it’s, ‘Take some time off. Don’t say yes to everything we want you to do,’ because that’s the kind of man that he is. That’s the kind of city manager that he is,” Mayor pro tem Ed Spriggs added.

Most city employees also were approved for a pay increase. Of the more than 100 workers, 96 are represented by the unions Service Employees International Union, Local 221, and the Imperial Beach Firefighter’s Association.

Last month, representatives of SEIU arrived at an agreement with the city to adjust salaries for represented employees. Like Hall, full-time and part-time employees were approved for a 2.5 percent raise, retroactive to July and a 3.5 percent pay hike effective July 2022.

Raises to employees represent a cost-of-living adjustment, said Nadia Moreno, the city’s human resources analyst. The increase in employee costs, including Hall’s, amounts to about $221,000, according to city staff.

“I think it’s a fair agreement ... so I am definitely supportive of this,” said Councilmember Paloma Aguirre.