Before retirement, manager seeks raise

SUNRISE – The city manager in Sunrise, who will retire in July, has asked the city to give him a job evaluation that comes with a 2.5% merit raise on his way out the door.

City Manager Richard Salamon currently earns a $221,411 salary.

Records obtained by the South Florida Sun Sentinel show the pay increase is worth about $71,224 in total benefits. The raise is retroactive and goes back to 2016, according to the City Clerk’s Office.

Although he is eligible to get a performance review each year that is tied to the raise, this one means he’ll get the benefits just before his July 12 retirement.

Salamon joined the city almost 30 years ago, working his way from administrative officer in utility billing all the way to the CEO of City Hall five years ago. He couldn’t be reached for comment Monday despite an email and cellphone message.

His retirement package also allows him to cash out unused sick and vacation time. Currently that payout is $131,110; if the increased merit pay is approved, he’ll get an additional $17,228, records show.

He will also get $870,672 in his retirement plan, a $11,325 monthly pension for life and a $350-a-month lifetime health care subsidy. He will also get life insurance till age 66.

Salamon requested that for Tuesday’s commission meeting, officials give him an annual performance review and then give him a 2.5% raise.

Mayor Mike Ryan, who also placed an item on the agenda to try to prevent the annual review, could not be reached for comment at his law firm Monday, or by his City Hall email.