Lemoore councilmembers praise city manager, but opt to wait before granting a 5 percent pay hike

However, in the end, at least one of the recently elected councilmembers, Stuart Lyons, seconded the motion to raise Lemoore City Manager Nathan Olson’s salary five percent, from $145,000 per year to $153,000.

Councilmembers Holly Blair, Chad Billingsley, and Mayor Eddie Neal voted against the increase while Lyons and Dave Brown voted for it.

Neal, who has served on the council during Olson’s tenure, said Olson is a “good man” but he would prefer to wait before granting a pay hike. “I would like to see Mr. Olson complete six months with the new council. I would like to see Mr. Olson work with employees and staff to improve relationships.”

Even newcomer Chad Billingsley, who voted no on the pay increase, praised Olson’s work ethic. “I agree with Mr. Neal that Mr. Olson is doing a great job.” He still opted to wait a few months before granting a possible increase.

Councilmember Brown, who voted for the increase, praised Olson’s managerial skills. “He’s been doing a good job,” he said. “He’s saved the city a lot of money. To me, the five percent is worth it. He deserves it.”

Councilmember Holly Blair said a pay raise at this time is not warranted. “We are concerned about the local economy, and the city manager needs to share in the sacrifices the workers have been asked to take on,” she said. She added that a $145,000 salary is enough to attract good candidates to the job. She made a motion to table the item, but it died due to a lack of support.

Olson defended the pay raise. “No employee has forgone a raise in this city at all. I would be the first,” he said. But he added that he'd continue to do his job no matter the outcome of the vote.

Lyons agreed with the others that he would like at least a couple of months to evaluate the city manager, though he agreed with the others that Olson is doing a good job. Despite his reservations, he ended up voting for the pay raise.

Councilmembers also heard that a Grocery Outlet might be in the works for the old Pioneer Square Shopping Center since renamed Gateway Plaza. “Grocery Outlet has been looking at Gateway Plaza,” said Community Development Director Judy Holwell. “They’ve submitted a proposal for a conditional use permit to sell alcohol there, so I assume they’ve signed their lease agreement.”

Councilmembers also voted on three separate items related to improving the city’s water system using water bonds to pay for improvements to the city’s system. The bonds will be paid over a number of years thanks to a recent water hike the city imposed upon its residents. Prior to the water hike, Lemoore hadn’t had a rate hike in 12 years.

The bonds, to be paid for over a number of years will be used to finance a portion of the following projects:

• Three new water treatment plants;
• A new water well  in the southeast portion of the city; and
• A one million-gallon water storage tank.

Councilmembers, except for Blair and Neal, voted to approve the three separate items. While he voted against the first two, Neal ended up voting for the third resolution authorizing the sale of bonds to begin the project.