AUGUSTA — City councilors approved a new contract for City Manager William Bridgeo Thursday that will keep the veteran administrator on the job another three years.

Councilors approved the contract unanimously and without debate.

Bridgeo met with councilors in a closed-door session two weeks ago to discuss the proposed contract and agreed on its general terms.

Bridgeo will make the same $110,700 salary he has made each of the last two years in the first year of the new contract, as the contract includes no raise.

However, in the second and third years of the contract, he will receive a raise if councilors give other non-union city employees a cost of living wage. Bridgeo will get the same raises they do, if and when other non-union city employees get raises.

Councilor-at-large David Rollins said he thought it was important the public knows Bridgeo is not getting a raise this year.

Non-union city employees received a 2 percent raise in 2012, Rollins said.
Bridgeo, 63, started with the city in April of 1998.

He’s been in municipal administration for 35 years, including his 16 years in Augusta.

He said he loves his job and looks forward to doing it another three years. He thanked councilors for their vote on the contract Thursday night, but otherwise did not comment further.

Before the meeting, Bridgeo praised city department heads and other staff, and said their hard work and expertise is a factor in his desire to remain in the job.

The contract continues terms which provide Bridgeo with a city sport utility vehicle. It also allows him to cash out a couple of weeks of unused leave time.

No members of the public commented on the contract Thursday.

The contract expires June 30, 2016.

Keith Edwards — 621-5647
kedwards@centralmaine.com