Newly appointed Savannah City Manager Jay Melder is set to become the highest paid City of Savannah employee once he takes on the role next month. City council will vote on the details of Melder's $260,000 per year contract during their meeting on Thursday.
Melder is also eligible for pension, as well as cost of living increases. His yearly salary surpasses former City Manager Michael Brown's salary by $20,000. Brown, who stepped into the role last fall, made $240,000 per year.
Council appointed Melder with a 9-0 vote on July 22. Most recently the assistant city administrator of Washington, D.C., Melder is set to start his new position on Sept. 10 and will be the city's first permanent city manager since 2019.
Brown's last day was July 30 and council voted 9-0 during the July 22 meeting to name Assistant City Manager Heath Lloyd as interim city manager until Melder comes on board. Lloyd was also a finalist for the position.
The city will pay out $10,000 for Melder's relocation expenses. If the verified living expenses surpass $10,000, the city will pay an additional amount, not to exceed $5,000.
Melder will also receive $600 per month allowance to purchase, lease or own, operate and maintain a vehicle. Melder will be response for liability and other insurance coverage.
The city's last permanent city manager, Rob Hernandez was hired in 2016 with a $238,000 salary and $600 monthly vehicle allowance, as well as a $7,000 annual 457 retirement plan. Hernandez resigned in April 2019.
Following his resignation, former Chatham County Manager Pat Monahan stepped into the role. He was earning $20,000 per month before stepping down last October.
Melder and the other two city manager finalists, Lloyd and Cincinnati Assistant City Manager Sheryl Long, interviewed with council and members of the public and media in June.
Following his appointment last month, members of city council said Melder's experience and enthusiasm for the job and the city made him the top choice.
Melder became assistant city administrator in D.C. in 2019 and during that time his duties have included overseeing real estate and construction, information technology, human resources and contracting and procurement. He also leads the government operations for the Emergency Operations Center and is a member of the Executive Policy Team for the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Melder also has extensive experience working to combat homelessness through D.C. 's Homeward DC plan, which includes initiatives such as year-round access to shelter and a homeless prevention program.
Prior to joining the District of Columbia government in 2015, Melder helped to coordinate the federal response to homelessness as the director of communications and external affairs for the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness under President Obama.
Melder received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University in 2006 and his Master of Fine Arts from American University in Washington, D.C., in 2010.
Jay Melder employment agreement by savannahnow.com on Scribd
Katie Nussbaum is the city and county government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. Contact her at knussbaum@savannahnow.com. Twitter: KmartSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: City council to vote on contract for Savannah city manager appointee Jay Melder. Here are the details
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