City manager gets pay hike, bonuses in contract update

Sausalito's city manager will stay on for at least another two years, with some changes to his contract.

Chris Zapata's annual salary increased by more than $18,000, with bonuses amounting to more than $90,000. The amended agreement extends his contract through June 30, 2026.

The City Council approved the amended contract in 4-1 vote. The changes to salaries and benefits came after about six months of negotiations, according to Joan Cox, a council member.

“I think it's no secret that I'm quite a fan of our city manager, not only because he has an impressive resume with decades of experience, but because he has demonstrated what that experience can mean to Sausalito,” Councilmember Melissa Blaustein said.

Zapata's annual salary is $244,555 as of Jan. 1. The city also agreed to an annual bonus of $30,000 — paid in two installments — to “provide incentive for Zapata to continue to produce exceptional results as City Manager,” according to the amended contract. The bonus will be granted automatically unless the City Council makes a motion against it.

Zapata also will receive a one-time signing bonus of $30,890. The bonus restores the 10% voluntary salary reduction Zapata, along with all Sausalito city employees, took in April 2022.

The contract amendments were approved at a Dec. 5 City Council meeting, though not without controversy.

Jill Hoffman, a council member, asked why a chart listing the salaries of city managers in various jurisdictions in Marin was presented at the meeting instead of beforehand. She said there was also an inconsistency in the staff report and worried the pay raises would put the city back into deficit spending.

“I don't think this was the year to change course,” Hoffman said. “We should stabilize.”

Hoffman voted against the motion to amend Zapata's contract and asked if the council could delay the vote in order to analyze the new information presented to the council and how it would impact the city's financial health.

The chart, originally presented to the City Council during closed session, was made public and attached to the agenda in a 4-0 vote.

Zapata was hired in 2021 at an annual salary of $226,000 with one-time payment of $15,000 for moving costs. His term as city manager was automatically renewed on June 30 because there was no action by the City Council to stop or change the renewal.

Zapata's base salary is in the middle of the market in Marin, below Larkspur, Ross, Mill Valley and San Rafael, according to city staff. With the $30,000 incentive, allowances and deferred compensation, the total compensa