Tucson City Manager Michael Ortega received a 5 percent raise from the mayor and council, making him one of the highest-paid administrators in Pima County.
Ortega, who was previously making $215,250 a year, has been bumped up to an annual salary of $225,000 for the next year. His new contract also includes a $5,000 increase next Oct. 1, and again on Oct. 1, 2020, if the mayor and council decide during an annual evaluation that he has met or exceeded expectations.
Ortega, who previously worked as Cochise County Administrator, was hired in June 2015.
Ortega’s new contract doesn’t include any additional vacation leave and he will continue to accrue eight hours of vacation time per pay period, which is the highest tier under the city’s code.
Ortega will also receive some extra sick leave under the new contract, increasing from 13 days a year to 20. The new sick leave accrual rate also matches the highest rate under the city’s code, which doesn’t have a cap on sick leave accrual.
Upon his departure from the city, Ortega’s vacation leave will be fully paid out at 100 percent of his vested time. His contract for sick leave payout is slightly different: If Ortega were to leave now, he’d be paid for 50 percent of his accrued leave. On Oct. 1, 2019, that payout rate increases to 75 percent and as of Oct. 1, 2020, he will be paid out at 100 percent of his accrued sick leave.
“I think Mike is doing a great job, but at some point the ‘One City, One Team’ has to apply to him as well, and at what point is enough enough for the cost of living in this market,” Councilman Steve Kozachik told the Star. “We have a great working relationship, but I believe if he got a better offer, this increase wouldn’t be the tipping point in keeping him on our side of the table.”
The raise puts Ortega in the top tier for base salaries among local administrators, outside of the University of Arizona.
Pima Community College Chancellor Lee Lambert leads the pack, with an annual base salary of $333,700.
Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry comes in at second highest paid, making $288,000 in annual base pay.
Pima County Chief Medical Examiner Greg Hess, who is paid a $240,000 annual base salary, is the next highest paid, above Ortega.
