Washoe County Manager Eric Brown and his support staff are likely to receive significant pay raises should the county commissioners approve a consultant agency’s recommendations during tomorrow’s meeting, the last meeting of the year. Brown is also lobbying for six months in additional severance pay. The total annual fiscal impact of his support staff’s pay raises will be $128,917 and will be included in their pensions upon their retirement. The pay raise for Brown is not included in this estimate, nor is the fiscal estimate of his “lump sum bonus” identified. Brown’s current salary is $296,379.
Per the meeting minutes, the recommendations are as follows (emphasis added):
9.E.1. Recommendation to approve a change in pay grade for the Assistant to the County Manager from pay grade N, hourly salary range of $34.58 -$44.95 to pay grade O, hourly salary range of $36.58 -$47.60; a change to the annual salary range for the Assistant County Manager, pay grade M100 from an annual salary range of $160,222.40 – $207,958.40 to $184,267.20 – $239,158.40, a change in pay grade for the Chief Information Officer from pay grade X, hourly salary range of $66.89 – $86.94 to pay grade Y, hourly salary range of $69.92 – $90.90; change in pay grade for the Communications Director from pay grade S, hourly salary range of $47.54 – $61.81 to pay grade T, hourly salary range of $52.70 – $68.48; a change in pay grade for the Director of Human Resources from pay grade X, hourly salary range of $66.89 – $86.94 to pay grade Y, hourly salary range of $69.92 – $90.90; a change in the job classification title from Director of Human Resources/Labor Relations to Director of Human Resources; as reviewed and evaluated by Korn Ferry and authorize Human Resources to make the necessary changes. This request is being brought forward as a result of new job evaluation and market study data generated by Korn Ferry which impacted the respective pay grade for each position.
22. Recommendation to conduct a performance evaluation of Washoe County Manager Eric Brown including a discussion of the results of the 2022 Performance Feedback Survey and adoption of priorities and expectations for the County Manager; and possible action to increase in base salary by a percentage or set amount (current base salary $296,379), lump sum bonus, and discussion and possible action to approve an amendment to the County Manager’s Employment Agreement to extend the Agreement for an additional year to November 21, 2025 and to amend Section 2(c) to increase severance pay from six (6) months’ pay to twelve (12) months’ pay, and if approved, authorize the Chair to sign the amendment; and direct the Comptroller’s Office and Human Resources to make all necessary adjustments.
According to Brown’s bio, “Eric Brown became the Washoe County Manager in November of 2019, as appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, and leads Nevada’s second largest county with more than 2,700 employees. As Washoe County’s top executive, Brown serves as liaison between the Board of County Commissioners, elected and appointed department directors, government and community agencies, businesses, employees and citizens.”
Incoming County Commissioner Mike Clark told The Globe, “Every time you turn around, the commissioners are up to something that benefits themselves and their friends. How does giving massive pay raises and golden parachutes to specific county employees help the citizens and tax payers of Washoe County?”
The public is strongly encouraged to attend the County Commission meeting tomorrow, December 13th at 10 AM at 1001 E. 9th Street in Reno, or the public can email their comments to the Board.