Swisschick,

You have not convinced me that as a new employee he should be forced to accept a pay freeze. He is not garaunteed employement and if he is meeting his performance metrics he is entitled to additional compensation-as outlined in his employment contract.

Now if he voluntarily choose to "freeze" his pay that is another thing. The economy affects everyone, however, this in and of it self is not a reason to honor a performance contract. Levitt is in a unique position-a position he accepted-in that everyone knows what his salary is, its not the same for the general public.

SwissChick - that was low. Don't know what you mean..but oh well. That can be expected when you post on these subjects.

That was in response to PBRman.

MOC0428 - Thank you for the comment!! How right you are. There is some other thinkers in this community! Amen.

"It doesn't matter now people. She has been convicted. Whatever questions you had, are just mute now. A jury of her peers had all the answers they needed, and justice has been served. Take note and heed, all of you crazy women!"
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Obviously, you are not someone I'd go to for advise considering the above comment you posted on the attempted murder conviction that was in the headlines earlier.
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I wasn't putting him down because he made that much. I do know that people don't all make the same wage. Geez. I was just making a comment and was glad to see that he wasn't taking the raise. People do not get the correct emotion when some comments are made in writing and go to "assume" that a certain comment was to "blast" or "slam". BTW, you probably wear a wife-beater shirt, too.

The problem is that many people in this city feel that life should be fair. These people complain about everyone else that has it better off than themselves. We live in America people, if you don't like your job or you don't think you make enough then do something about it! Quit trying to drag everyone else down in your crappy miserable world.

Are any of you complainers even qualified to be a city manager? Do you even know what the city manager does? He has to deal with the ins and outs of a city of 60,000 people, I'd say $136,000 a year is more than a fair salary. For those of you complaining about spending; besides the ice area (which hasn't even been built yet, I might add) where else has there been extravagant spending?? Some of you need to get a clue.

I shouldn't be amazed at all the "brilliant" people that live in this city and post on this site. Are you all nuts? If we stop spending we'll never get out of this mess we are in. It is your shortsightedness and lack of understanding of economics that contributes to you absolutely mind boggling posts.

SwissChick - if you were worth half of his salary, you would have been making it. You are being paid what you are worth. By the way, he is taking a pay freeze as he is setting an example. Not sure what the whole fuss is about. If he was in the private sector, and not public administration, he would be making 5x as much. Some people actually enjoy working in the community for less.....

Sannio - I thought you would get a kick out of that. I'm with you, I'm fine with it.
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As far as others being pissed because of what Levitt makes. Maybe you should have chosen this field of work or another if you're unhappy with what you make. There are many people out there that make way more than you and me, but why is that their fault? Good for them. They chose a lucrative line of work. Not everyone should be penalized for others.

I don't have "salary demands". Just a decent wage for work performed to company satisfaction or above. Times are very tough in the area and being a relatively new "employee", he should be taking a pay freeze. Apparently, you have very deep pockets. Good for you.

Swiss chick,

You should be willing to look elsewhere to firms that can meet your salary demands. The employer cost of finding, hiring, and training the "right" person is far less than giving someone a 3-5% annual raise. You may or may not have formal contract with your employer but certainly if you consistently perform well you have a strong argument for a raise------on balance. (obviously it does not mean you'll receive one)

However, if what you do can be easily replaced by someone else you do not have that leverage. Private business cannot simply sell more products or charge more for their services without impunity-customers will go elsewhere. Unlike govt who can charge more and deliver less. This includes monopolies like utlities.

I've "done a super job" too. However my boss deemed there wasn't money in the budget to give me a raise. I'm sure it's because I work for a private business and not taxpayer funded.

I'd be partying like a rock star if I made HALF of that.

Symbolism over substance. Declined to give a raise because of a "downturn in the economy"? If the guy is meeting his performance metrics he's earned a raise. This is what the city council members do not understand. Up to 4% does not mean 4%. Be careful what you wish for janesville. When he leaves for greener pastures it will not be for less money.

"we think he's done a super job" (Truman) but does not deserve an increase in pay? It does not make sense. Those that complain about his salary simply do not understand executive pay for performance metrics. Yes, tax payers finance his salary and lavish retirement benefits-if he's not meeting expectations he will be fired. If he is meeting them, he (or anyone else) is due for a raise. He is the city's chief executive officer-if his board says he is meeting expectations (see the Truman quote) then it appears to me that he is eligible for a merit increase. Put away your petty jealously and envy because the guy make more than you and look at this rationally.

Too many CAVE people in Janesville!!! (Citizens Against Virtually Everything)

spark said - "Mine actually went down about $3."
DO'H!!!
Meh, I'm still not mad.

The new city manager is doing ten times better than the previous. That previous thought he was the king of Janesville, the Ruler, and the Dictator. He would interrupt at any time and he did not care one bit what other individuals thought. He wanted people to know that this is the way it should be; his way! I hope Mr. Levitt stays around for a long time. Janesville needs a manager like him!

lvotelspeak - you are kidding right? I love people who claim they can do somebody elses job and don't have any idea what it takes. Jerry Rice on Sunday made catching a football look easy, but you had no idea what he did Mon - Sat to make it look easy. Words come easy, but performance does not.

"A 'super' review?" Is that just below "super-duper" here in Doodyville?

“'But he (Levitt) uses the light like any other council member,' Truman said." Are we in grade school? "'Levitt is becoming more involved with discussions,' Truman said." Perhaps, like others, Levitt sees the the council discussions as rather pointless and knows they won't listen anyway, so why get too involved? Hey--perhaps he's smarter than we might think!

Praise from a sycophantic volunteer peanut gallery--how touching! "Tell 'em what he's won, Clarabell! Kowabunga!"

Well, if we want amateur hour, we could have anyone who could work for free. Instead we have a college-educated professional who has experience in the field. Surprise, surprise, people with resumes are able to demand an equitable salary.
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You, too, could command such a salary ... if you get the degree and build up the work experience. But you didn't. Whoops! So I guess complaining is all you have left.

I think that I could do as good of a job for half the price. If the city wants me to start on Monday Ill be there. How hard could it be every department in this city has a head of it, if you want something answered you call them and get the answer. If you have any other questions tell your secretary to find out. My wife use to clean the offices there and everyone elses office was packed with files and folders all over their desk, the city manager at the time (Steve) had not a single folder on his desk almost all of the time. Everyone else does all the work and the city manager gets the credit. Ill see you on Monday half the pay.

If you think Levitt is making too much money, you should have applied for the job.

Holy Crap! $136,000 a year to run a city in which you weren't born in and never lived in before you were hired. That has to be one of the easist going jobs in the city. Just let the qualified because do the work, review the options you have and choose which one suits best.

Come on does he really need a raise if you cant live on $136,000 a year then you dont know what life really is about. I believe that this is way too much money already. Wake up and smell the cofee. The city workers all around make too much this is a major part of why all the states and cities around the country are going broke. Its time to cut back on pay and benefits.

He got a raise. His prized ice arena. Boo hoo. How DO you live on $136k a year???????
You know if he did get a raise it is ONLY bla, bla, bla per $1000 assessed value!

Like a lot of us in these times just lucky to still have our jobs and making less money than ever before. RAISE? Pay freeze? I would LOVE a pay freeze.

I am sorry a super job of SPEND! SPEND! SPEND!
Stop spending our money we don't have! Seems the council is the only one happy with his work cause they like to spend, spend, spend.
Didn't they get elected cause they "understand" Are they still unemployed?

Sannio- it will be WAY more than doubled up. Havent you been reading about all the increases for 2010??? Just this much for every $1000 assessed for this, that, the other, did I mention that too, and don't forgot about those, and them too.

Sorry all this just $ for $1000 is going to add up BIG!

Mine actually went down about $3.

Speaking of the 2010 budget, I'd like to know who's responsible for my property tax increase. I noticed it went up $1.67 from last year!!! The paramedics had to come by, and scrape me off the ceiling I was so happy! Being CYNICAL, however, I bet they double up next year, and make it $3.34!!!