As Palm Beach Gardens grows, so does its city manager's salary

During City Manager Ron Ferris' annual evaluation, the City Council gave him an 8% raise, saying the position needs to have competitive pay.

Palm Beach Post

PALM BEACHGARDENS – Longtime City Manager Ron Ferris, who has presided over Gardens as its population nearly doubled in size, drew rave reviews and an 8% pay raise from his bosses on the city council during his annual evaluation in June.

The raise pushes the top administrator's salary to $392,862 a year, an amount council members deemed necessary to remain competitive with other municipalities in the county. Ferris's contract is without a preset end date and also includes a monthly car allowance of $650.

He is one of the highest-paid city managers in Palm Beach County and also one of the longest-serving, first assuming the role in 2001. City Hall and other city buildings even bear his name.

Since 77-year-old Ferris took office, Palm Beach Gardens’ population has grown from about 35,000 to more than 60,000. Developers are also rushing to build mammoth residential complexes in the city.

All five council members praised Ferris for his quick responsiveness and how he handles the city’s finances, including its $178 million budget. Council member Dana Middleton thanked him for helping raise police officer salaries in May.

“Your heart and intent is always and completely in the best interest of the city,” Council Member Marcie Tinsley told Ferris at the June council meeting. “That's shown by how well our city is run and our fiscal wellbeing.”

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Bert Premuroso said Ferris “kept the city afloat” when the economy suffered declining revenues and layoffs in 2009. “You’re a true leader in bad times,” he told Ferris.

City Attorney R. Max Lohman, who has worked with Ferris for 16 years, got choked up when he said Ferris is the best leader he has ever worked with.

Council Member Carl Woods said Ferris has become a friend and mentor to him and that city staff gravitate to his positive attitude.

“Other than some hiccups … Palm Beach Gardens is a great place to live,” Woods said. “Just ask the pickleball people!”

Mayor Chelsea Reed highlighted Ferris’ humility, saying he takes criticism, but not praise.

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Woods said that over the past few years the city manager's salary fell behind by about 7% to 9% when compared with pay for the same role in nearby communities.

According to Woods, the last time the council evaluated the manager's salary was at least 4 years ago.

“That position deserves to be just like our police officers,” Woods said before recommending Ferris’ raise.

Ferris attributed the city’s success to his staff.

“I don’t want to have a lot of words because these things make me uncomfortable, but the only reason we are as successful as we are is the support we get,” Ferris said. “I’m just the old ringmaster … I am grateful and blessed.”

Maya Washburn covers northern Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her atmwashburn@pbpost.com. Support local journalism:Subscribe today.