Levitt gets praise, but no raise
Photo 
Eric Levitt
JANESVILLE — Rave reviews but still no raise.
Janesville City Manager Eric Levitt has worked here since December 2008 and has received “A” performance reviews from the council.
But because of Janesville’s ailing economy, the city council on Monday night did not give Levitt a raise.
“It’s a sign of the times,” said Kathy Voskuil, council president. “It is not a reflection of his ability to lead.”
Levitt was hired at a salary of $136,000.
Levitt was reviewed for a pay increase during a closed meeting Monday.
Council members will wait until after the 2011 budget is approved before seeing if money is available for a raise. That could be anywhere from zero to 3 percent, Voskuil said.
“The city council is very pleased with Mr. Levitt and his leadership,” Voskuil said, describing his performance as “stellar.”
Levitt continues to implement the council’s short- and long-term goals, and he is efficient in maximizing city resources to accomplish those goals, she said.
The lack of a pay increase is not about his ability because Levitt has been doing a great job, Voskuil stressed.
Levitt is an excellent financial analyst and a good problem solver, Voskuil said. He is transparent and works with employees to create solutions. He is accountable and expects accountability from department heads. He engages the public and is good at listening to the public, she said.
“I think he sees the value and the importance of public input in the process,” Voskuil said.
The council appreciates that Levitt gives members a variety of alternatives backed by reasoning.
“If we see something as a goal, he’s going to make sure we see all the different pieces of getting to the goal,” she said.
“We as a council are in a leadership role.”
Levitt’s benefits package includes a $5,100 allowance for an American-made vehicle and 20 days of vacation.
Jun 17, 2010 at 9 a.m.
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I guess he can pay for the ice arena since all of us losers cannot.
Jun 17, 2010 at 8:18 a.m.
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Sell beer at council meetings to pay for his raise.
Jun 17, 2010 at 5:54 a.m.
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What is up with people? Attacking this guy for not asking for and not receiving a raise? I would bet that most city managers who manage a city the size of Janesville would require at least that much to take such a position. He seems to have the education, experience and the performance to justify his salary. We had line workers in this town with horrible attitudes and no education making $60K-$80K a year doing jobs that anyone to do with a week or two of training. Levitt manages the projects, employees, and work flow of an entire city......
Jun 16, 2010 at 10:36 p.m.
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Utilities are down???? My electric is $.11341 per KwH up from $.10474 a year ago (+8.3%)and gas is $.50069 per therm up from $.35679 (+40.3%) from last June.
Jun 16, 2010 at 10:03 p.m.
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the inside of my car door says product of Canada, just like my Monte Carlo did too.
Jun 16, 2010 at 9:45 p.m.
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MacD, I'm pretty sure your trailblazer was made in the Ohio plant that closed when Janesville did. Check the VIN. I get your point though.
Jun 16, 2010 at 9:07 p.m.
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I meant poof.
Jun 16, 2010 at 9:06 p.m.
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Frogger, I'm not defending the $136K but I do want to say Mr Levitt put himself this this salary range through his education and experience. This is the way it is suppose to work. You go to college, get good grades, mix in a little luck with an internship, and puff $136K.
Jun 16, 2010 at 8:56 p.m.
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frogger, the inflation 12 month average is actually -0.4%. In fact, declining wholesale prices are a concern for the economic recovery.
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The most recent trend for gas is actually down, utility prices are down, although some other things have gone up slightly. According to the government's own inflation calculator, Levitt's 2008 salary has an increase of about 1% in buying power without any changes whatsoever. Some details here:
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0....
Jun 16, 2010 at 8:40 p.m.
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I don't see where it said Mr. Levitt was looking for a raise, the Council was defending why he didn't get one. I think when anyone is meeting or exceeding the expectations of the position -even in a tight city budget- a cost of living raise (3%) is reasonable. A pat on the back and an "atta boy" doesn't pay the bills and I would hate to lose Mr. Levitt to another city that recognizes that.
Jun 16, 2010 at 5:55 p.m.
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Thanks for not taking a raise. I don't know HOW you can live on $136k yr though.(not) Many of us are trying to do it on Min wage because of the changes going on right now. We keep asking keep spending under control as we cannot afford it right now. I hope you are listening.
You also don't need to worry about a car payment AND 4 weeks vacation to boot.
Cost of living dropping!!??????
WHERE??
Insurance is more
gas is more
grocery is more
auto insurance is more
water is more
hvac is more
I am not seeing it??
I hear even Goodwill prices are higher.
WOW I forgot TAXES are more
Property taxes are more.
Please explain.
Jun 16, 2010 at 5:24 p.m.
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That is the going rate for city managers for municipalities the size of Janesville. It's education equivalent to running a fair-sized company, but of course, you don't get stock options.
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As I've said before, this very-low inflation economy, possibly dipping into deflation, means that wages are effectively increasing simply because the cost of living is dropping. It isn't the same as a raise, but it's some comfort to those who don't get one.
Jun 16, 2010 at 5:14 p.m.
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i was more concerned about the "American-made" vehicle. What is an American made vehicle???
my trailblazer was made in Canada and a Camry is made in Kentucky.
Jun 16, 2010 at 4:44 p.m.
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$136,000 to do the job he's doing? And he's looking for a raise? You have got to be kidding!
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