By Joshua Dillen

jdillen@bakercityherald.com

A heated discussion among Baker City councilors Tuesday centered on a proposal to give City Manager Mike Kee a pay raise.

After about 20 minutes of sometimes intense debate, the Council voted 4-3 to give Kee a 2-percent raise effective Jan. 1.

Mayor Clair Button and Councilors Kim Mosier, Barbara Johnson and Mike Downing voted in favor of the pay hike, Kee’s first since he was hired in September 2010 with an annual salary of $90,000.

A heated discussion among Baker City councilors Tuesday centered on a proposal to give City Manager Mike Kee a pay raise.

After about 20 minutes of sometimes intense debate, the Council voted 4-3 to give Kee a 2-percent raise effective Jan. 1.

Mayor Clair Button and Councilors Kim Mosier, Barbara Johnson and Mike Downing voted in favor of the pay hike, Kee’s first since he was hired in September 2010 with an annual salary of $90,000.

Councilors Richard Langrell, Dennis Dorrah and Roger Coles voted against the pay increase.

Button began the discussion by pointing out that the council is supposed to review the city manager’s contract on an annual basis.

Button also noted that Kee has not had a pay increase despite receiving above-average performance evaluations from a majority of councilors each year

“I feel that it would be appropriate for the council to consider – whether you call it a cost-of-living increase or an incentive award for good performance – I think we should consider that,” Button said.

Johnson said Kee has done a “wonderful job through some very difficult times.”

She also implied that Kee deserves a larger raise than the Council was considering.

“That seems a pittance when you realize how much time and effort this man has given to this city,” Johnson said.

See more in Wednesday’s issue of the Baker City Herald.