BROOKINGS — City Manager Paul Briseno is getting a boost to his salary in 2024, courtesy of a 7-0 vote at the Brookings City Council meeting on Dec. 19.

In 2024, his salary will be $176,911. That’s a 4% increase from his current salary of $170,107. On top of that, Briseno will also receive a $1,400 bonus — the same bonus that was recently earned by other full-time city employees.

“We need to retain a high-level talent that we have with Paul. Implementing a market rate competitive compensation is, I think, a key aspect of this contract,” Councilor Brianna Doran said. “I would just like to take the time to also thank you for the work you’ve done and leading the city staff as well as the community in partnership with us … I know that it’s challenging, but we really appreciate it, and I’m really excited about how we continue to grow our community.”

Councilor Nick Wendell pointed out that research goes into the process and that, basically, no pay raise is handed out willy-nilly. Specifically, he said that the salary increase is based on a salary survey that the city conducts to ensure that its staff is in an acceptable range for comparable positions.

“We look at other comparable cities in South Dakota and in the region and other college towns to get a good sense of where their salary ranges are for salaried employees,” Wendell said, “and this is squarely within that range given the city that Paul is serving in and his years of service.”

He concluded, “Our goal is to ensure that our city manager is treated the same as all of our other full-time staff are. I think this contract is a reflection of that, in addition to a city manager that received a strong evaluation from all seven members of the council.”

With a bit of digging around, the Brookings Register learned that the $176,911 Briseno will earn in 2024 is in the ballpark for what city managers earn in comparable cities:

• In Aberdeen, for example, City Manager Robin Bobzien will earn $171,392 in the coming year.

• In Watertown, City Manager Amanda Mack is earning $160,056 this year, but she will make $173,284 in 2024.

• In the Minnesota town of Marshall, City Administrator Sharon Hanson will earn $178,214 in 2024, after earning $167,648 for most of this year (and receiving a boost in November to $173,014).

Briseno also earned praise from Mayor Oepke “Ope” Niemeyer.

“I would like to say, Paul, it’s been a joy and an honor to work with you again for another year,” he said. “I think we’ve accomplished a lot of things. You’ve definitely led a wonderful leadership team. The employees that we have here mirror your tenacious approach to running our city. I can’t say enough good things about you. You do admit sometimes your faults — but there’s not too many of those as far as I’m concerned.”

Niemeyer added, “I know the city manager position can sometimes be stressful, but you seem to be handling it pretty well.” 

In other business at the Dec. 19 meeting, the City Council:

• Approved, on 7-0 votes, property leases at Brookings Regional Airport for Wilde Air Service, United Development LLC and LNJ Farms & Ranch.

• Gave the green light, on a 7-0 vote, to a two-year contract — plus an optional 12-month extension — with Razor’s Edge Groundskeeping authorizing lawn care and snow removal services.

Facilities in the contract include the Brookings City & County Government Center, Brookings Public Safety Building, Brookings Public Library, Brookings Activity Center and Brookings Arts Council.

• Approved renewals of medical cannabis licenses for Silver Creek Trading Co. and TK Cannabis LLC. The former is the only one currently doing business as Cannabis Connection at 1304 Sixth St.

— Contact Mondell Keck at mkeck@brookingsregister.com.