Putting dollar amounts on city priorities

Getting auto dealers to sign onto a deal to stay in Carson City may be worth millions to city residents, and it may also be worth $3,500 to the city manager's pocket book.

And how much is it worth for City Manager Linda Ritter to get together an agreement between the city and the state for the next phase of the Carson Freeway? Exactly $2,500.

At least, those are the dollar amounts Ritter has recommended to attach to her performance bonus if she meets the goals by the end of the year. City supervisors are expected to discuss Ritter's proposal today.

"I start with what the board sets as goals," Ritter said, explaining how she developed her priorities for the year. "Most of them really revolve around what (supervisors) want to accomplish. I also put in additional goals I have for myself that I would like to get done."

Ritter was granted a raise in December, bringing her base salary to $99,000. According to her contract, Ritter is eligible to get an additional 20 percent of her pay at the end of the year if she meets certain milestones set by the Board of Supervisors.

Several goals are on Ritter's list to complete in this year. They range in importance according to the dollar amount attached to each task, Ritter said. The proposed list may be changed by supervisors before it is approved.

The task Ritter identified as most important and could net the highest reward - $3,500 - is the negotiation of an incentive package with Carson auto dealers for an auto mall or auto row. If Ritter presents the package to supervisors, she would be eligible for the reward.

After signing an agreement with dealers late last year, city staff is waiting for the dealers to buy suitable land for the deal before any incentive package can be put together, Ritter said.

"We are really waiting to find property," Ritter said. "We are also going to possibly look at working with current dealers to see what we can do for them to stay and possibly expand in Carson City."

Ritter is also putting a high price for negotiating a financial agreement with state transportation officials for the second phase of the Carson City freeway project. The city is working on draft language now and pushing to get it done "as quickly as possible," Ritter said. If an agreement can be presented to city supervisors and the Nevada State Transportation Board, Ritter is asking for $2,500 as a reward.

Another big ticket item to finish this year would be the development of a similar pay-for-performance program for the city's department directors. If completed and presented to the board, Ritter has proposed earning a bonus of $2,000.

Tasks that could net Ritter $1,000 each include:

n Creating a long-term strategic plan for automation services.

n Presentation of a facilities master plan to the board.

n Enhancing the city's Web site.

n Preparing the city's legislative package for the 2005 Legislature session.

n Drafting a Carson City lands bills to identify future uses of federal lands for development, open space and recreation.

In all, Ritter has identified $19,500 in bonus pay attached to 13 goals. Last year, Ritter was awarded $6,200 for performing several tasks during her first six months in office. The Board also used the pay-for-performance system to reward Ritter's predecessor, John Berkich.

Contact Jill Lufrano at jlufrano@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.