- May 5, 2024
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The Port Orange City Council voted 3-2 to approve an $11,000 increase in pay for City Manager Jake Johansson at its regular meeting the first week in June.
The salary increase was a result of Johansson’s yearly evaluation where he met with each one of the City Council members. Each councilman gave Johansson high praise about the job he is doing for the city. Johansson began working for Port Orange in 2015, and during that time, he has been given one pay raise.
Even with the recent increase in pay, bringing his salary to a total of $159,000, Johansson is at the lower end of the salary range compared to other managers in Volusia County. In Ormond Beach, City Manager Joyce Shanahan makes $175,000 a year.
Councilman Scott Stiltner and Interim Councilman Jack Wiles voted against the pay raise because they thought Johansson should have more. The raise reflected a 7% increase. They thought he should have at least a 10% raise to make his salary equitable with other managers in the county.
“Your reflection of your (Johansson) leadership reflects in the staff,” Stiltner said. “I think that what we have seen in the past year is a lot of departments and a lot of staff throughout the entire organization, have done an exceptional job, all in all. That has to reflect back to your leadership."
Councilman Chase Tramont said that he has never heard as many compliments about city employees as he has this year, and, that too is a reflection of Johansson's leadership.
"It is truly an honor to work for the city of Port Orange and this council,” Johansson said.
Johansson said he doesn't ask for raises. This was the council's chance to offer one if the councilmen thought he deserved one, he said.
"You have options and I respect your judgement," Johansson said. "It’s humble for me to sit here, to be blessed, to work for the staff. When I say working for, I’m a servant leader. I work for the staff, trying to make their jobs as easy as I can.”
