The Hermiston City Council extended the contract of City Manager Byron Smith Monday night and gave him a raise following a performance review.
Smith was hired in August 2014 to replace Ed Brookshier, who retired after more than 20 years on the job. Smith was initially given a two-year contract with a base salary of $115,000.
Smith had requested a family pool pass valued at $250 as part of his benefit package, but Hermiston City Councilor Doug Primmer opposed the request, recalling how the public was angered by a similar arrangement with a city official in the past.
Instead, the council agreed to increase Smith’s raise from $5,000 to $5,250 to cover the cost of a family pool pass.
Hermiston City Councilor Jackie Myers said the council was pleased with Smith’s first year on the job.
“Your performance over the past year has been very good and has met and exceeded our expectations,” she said.
