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Armando Martinez
(Note: Articles Appear in Reverse Chronological Order)
Tab 8
Though he has never been a city manager before, Martinez has more than 25 years of publicsafety
and law-enforcement experience that includes managing staff and dealing with large
budgets.
The new contract allows Martinez to keep his new take-home Dodge Charger patrol car. It also
entitles him to 27 days of paid time off annually. And it pays Martinez the cash value of medical
and dental benefits usually offered to employees so he can obtain his own.
The deal works out to be a sweet $36,000 pay increase for the former police chief. It's also a bit
higher than the $75,000 salary that former City Manager Syd Crosby was making when he left
abruptly in August amid conflicts with Martinez. But it's right on a par with what former
manager Richard Diamond, who hired Martinez to be the city's police chief in 2007, was
making.
And despite early speculation that hiring Martinez could mean a "two-for-one" deal that saves
the city a chunk of change, the move will, in the end, mean about the same cost for taxpayers.
This year's city budget set aside approximately $135,000 to pay for a police chief and a city
manager. A new police chief will be promoted or hired at an annual salary of $50,000. The new
chief will report to Martinez and work under his direction, commissioners decided at the
meeting. A new captain's position will also be opened up as part of the changes happening at the
police station.
Vice Mayor Jennifer Crain-Brady said Martinez's recommendations for his contract and the
future operations at the police department amounted to more than commissioners wanted to
spend. But they agreed it was money well-spent.
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