Simi Valley’s city manager and several other employees in management positions will receive salary increases that will cost the city nearly $160,000.
The City Council unanimously approved updates to the employment agreements Dec. 15. They did not discuss the two items before voting.
It’s the latest round of raises across the city payroll that will cost millions in salary increases in coming years.
The council determined that, following her positive annual performance review, City Manager Samantha Argabrite deserved a merit-based raise, according to the agenda report.
Retroactive to July 1, she will receive a 5% salary increase of $13,600, increasing her annual salary to $285,600. Argabrite stepped into the role in July 2024.
The other contract updates are for employees designated as confidential, including the assistant city manager, administrative services director, deputy human resources director, senior human resources analyst and deputy city attorney.
Under the new contract, effective from July 1 through June 30, 2027, the staff will receive a 3% raise in January and another 3% raise in July. The bottom 5% of the salary ranges will be eliminated.
The six employees will also receive around $2,500 each month in flexible benefits as well as a one-time payment of $1,000. Over the next two years, the changes for the confidential employees will cost the city about $145,000.
The updated terms are similar to those that the City Council approved earlier this month for the roughly 270 workers represented by the Service Employees International Union. The union represents staff in public works, administrative roles and police dispatch among others. That agreement cost the city nearly $6 million over the next three years.
The agenda report states the adjustments are intended to better recognize employees’ contributions to the city, address salary parity with other municipalities and improve employee retention and recruitment.
The item will return to the City Council for final approval Jan. 12.
In late October, the council also approved two updated labor contracts with the city’s police unions, expected to cost an additional $4.7 million over the next two years.
Makena Huey is an investigative and watchdog reporter for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at makena.huey@vcstar.com. This story was made possible by a grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation’s Fund to Support Local Journalism.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Simi Valley city manager, other top city roles set for raises
Reporting by Makena Huey, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
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