City Managers: Is Jim Spore worth $220,000 a year? - WTKR

Bill DeSteph is the single courageous leader on our city council who is willing to question the status quo. Under Mr. Spore's watch, city spending and debt have exploded in the last ten years. Revenues are falling, yet the city continues to issue more and more debt to finance special projects and pay the fixed cost of debt service. You have to wonder how well Mr. Spore is managing the budget when just three short months ago, he was floating the idea of a 2 cent real estate tax increase to finance $95 million in new projects. Now suddenly, the Town Hall budget meetings indicate it's going to take a 4 cent tax increase just to fill a $49 million budget hole, never mind about the new projects. Mr. Spore's refusal to submit his personal salary to the same cost-cutting scrutiny he intends to impose on his own staff indicates just how disconnected he is from his own employees, as well as the tax-weary citizens he supposedly serves.

City Employee wrote:

To a little perspective= I understand where your coming from. However, Mr. Spore is not leading by example by accepting a raise when he is already wealthy and telling the working class poor (ME) you're not important enough to get a raise. If you have a heart you should understand that alot of us are upset because we can't pay bills, can't pay rent, I can't even afford to buy a pair of new shoes, ok!. Since you know him "personally" I would appreciate you sharing this with him. Thank you and have a nice day.

If you listen to the interview in full, you will find that he is not, in fact, receiving a raise this year. This was an extension of a current contract from five years ago. By his own request, his contract time has been shortened so his salary does not get out of line with budgetary constraints. He also says that he would not ask any city employees to take a pay cut without taking one himself.

Happy VB Resident wrote:

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If you listen to the interview in full, you will find that he is not, in fact, receiving a raise this year. This was an extension of a current contract from five years ago. By his own request, his contract time has been shortened so his salary does not get out of line with budgetary constraints. He also says that he would not ask any city employees to take a pay cut without taking one himself.

He doesn't need a raise. I could live very nicely on what he makes....if he can't, then he has a problem with his budget (we already know he has a problem with the CVB budget). I don't recall in the interview where he actually said the words his salary would also be cut.....believe it was more like "it would be across the board," but that did not specify him or other managers/department heads. So he was not specific enough for me. DeSteph is the only person on city council who has the guts to say something about this.....gee, wonder why the others don't?(rhetorical question)

I know and worked with Jim Spore and I have to say he is truly a professional. But is he worth $220K plus? I have to be honest and say no! Most unfortunate, City Council with the exception of Bill DeSteph have voted in support of this elevated salary. This took place because citizens are more tuned into greed and complacency. Citizens no longer desire to become active in the government or political arena. And City Council person Rosemary Wilson is now running for State Senate? Citizens just voted for City Council person Ron Villaneuva to the State Delegate and who knows, Ron will vote for the Governor's salary to be higher than the USA President. Having said all of that, I support even higher salaries for the City Manager and Assistant Managers and higher debt for Virginia Beach to complete all of the developer's projects to the point of bankruptcy, and MAYBE, citizens will become more involved when the bill comes due that puts a big dent in their pocketbooks. I hear all the time: don't bother me with politics; I have a nice house with two car garage, four cars, two cats, three dogs, and three teenagers. America - Wake Up!

Happy VB Resident wrote:

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If you listen to the interview in full, you will find that he is not, in fact, receiving a raise this year. This was an extension of a current contract from five years ago. By his own request, his contract time has been shortened so his salary does not get out of line with budgetary constraints. He also says that he would not ask any city employees to take a pay cut without taking one himself.

As a long time Virginia Beach resident, I found the interview very informative. I have no ax to grind with Mr. Spore. I found him somewhat genuine in what he believes as pertaining to his self-worth. I did not find him self-effacing or sincere in his concerns for the employees. He was hired for the sole purpose of managing the city of Virginia Beach. That was his reason for coming here (an employment contract). He is blessed with a city that has a very unique place in Hampton Roads. We enjoy the benefits of a large metropolitan community with few of the large inner-city core problems. We are a young city. To credit him with making this city the success that it is would be unfair to all of the previous councils, employees, and citizens of this city. In regards to his compensation, any workers pay and compensation has to be placed into proper perspective as it relates to other jobs and resposibilities. Mr.Spore manages a city. He is not elected so his chain of command is reporting directly to the council. They hired him. Understand that he can be dismissed without cause but the city is still obligated to pay out his contract. Since he is the manager of the City (he manages), he is not the leader of the community. A lot of people can manage, few can lead. I found his response to the salary issue a little disturbing. To suggest, as someone in a previous response said, comparison of his job to the Governor of Va., and other high ranking military leaders, is not relevent, is nonsense. Frequently, our opinions of people we know can be clouded by friendship and a sense of protecting our friends. Maybe we should not be blaming him for his high salary. He didn't just give himself that salary. I believe council offered and approved that contract (duly noted that one councilman did not). Time to consider our options.

a little perspective wrote:

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Nope I'm not Jim Spore, I'm sure he's busy working hard and earning his salary (what about you?). I'm just someone that does happen to know him personally and who also couldn't abide the ignorant garbage being spewed on this site about him.

How much to do you make?

a little perspective wrote:

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Please do, I don't want you to have anything to do with the operation of my hometown's government. And for the record we have the lowest taxes in the region. Also if you think Jim Spore is a 'greedy oaf' you obviously have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

Are you sleeping with the guy??? Geez, Your a idiot. I'm sure most would agree...

Thank you Mr. DeSteph for pointing out your fellow Council Members lack of common sence and to you for taking a stand. You are safe in my book for re-election. The others, not so much. I find it once again amazing how VB operates and in 20 plus years working for them I have been amazed by them often. How can they justify the managers high salary, car allowance, and free health care at a time when they are telling us times are tuff. We cannot afford to give employees a raise, oh but we can give 32 department heads up to 15% increase. Do they realize we the people/employees are paying $500+ a month for health care. I guess they would say, you're lucky to have health care. Since we gave out all these big raises to the big wigs, we are going to need all departments to cut back 15% and we might need to take back 1% of everyones salary.
How about stop spending money on all the projects that can wait until times are better and concentrate on taking care of the employees, who help make the city a place where people want to live and work. Oh how silly of me, forgot you don't care about the employees, except when the cameras are on.

Yes he did and so did the other executives, engineers. Why you might ask? To compete with the private sector. I worked for the private sector before working for the City and the benefits with the City well no private sector can compete. I think Mr. Spore should make six figures, he has a difficult job, however; not more than the govenor of VA. No sir I don't agree.

Happy VB Resident wrote:

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If you listen to the interview in full, you will find that he is not, in fact, receiving a raise this year. This was an extension of a current contract from five years ago. By his own request, his contract time has been shortened so his salary does not get out of line with budgetary constraints. He also says that he would not ask any city employees to take a pay cut without taking one himself.

Why isn't the salary of the local school Superintendent's also being compared??? Please keep in mind that the responsibilities of an entire Town/County/City also includes the budgeting needs of the local public school system.

You need to ask what the Virginia Beach City Public School's Superintendent makes. I believe it is more than Spore. I don't know about the perks, but the Super's perks are certainly generous.

If you're angry about Spore's salary, focus on City Council as THEY set his salary. He doesn't set his own salary or benefits!!!! VB is far an above the best run city in the region, lowest real estate and personal property tax rate, and more quality of life ammenities than any place around - this is because of Spore's professional management and Council agreeing with his recommendations and initiatives. He'll take the same percentage cut the rest of his employees take, if any. Don't like it? Move to Norfolk where the manager is paid a little less, taxes are higher and crime is rampant. Or move to Chesapeake where the manager is paid a bit less, taxes are alot higher and rec centers are non existant.

This is all absurb. The city manager is a top exec managing about 7000 employees, he does a good job and is worth every cent, if fact he may be underpaid. Lets talk about how much your reporters make or the news anchor compared to the camara man? Or how about the pro athlete that makes 20 million per year compared to the average fan? Or the movie star that gets 25 million a movie for 4 months work, compared to the folks who work the set? Back off, stop worring about what someone else makes. If you want to make more learn a better skill and go for it yourself, and when you get there lets see how much of that hard earned pay you want someone else telling you to give up!

Slow news day huh? How much should they make in relation to their staff? What boss does not make way more than staff? A ridiculous news story. Amateur hour.

I think this is just another example of how VB throws away money. If someone really took the time and looked into the spending at all departmental levels, you would be suprised at the waste. Taxpayers should wake up and elect more people like Desteph.

everything at the beach cost more

The issue isn't so much what Spore makes or any top executive makes...the issue is how much have the salaries at the top risen in comparison to the average employee.

A 3% salary increase for someone making $30,000 isn't much when compared to a 3% salary increase on a six figure salary.

The salary for top management has risen at a faster rate than the salary of the average worker. For those who participate in the employee health plan the increases to premiums and co-pays have significantly reduced their disposable income. A monthly premium for one group is chump change, while the same premium for the other group makes a significant dent in their disposable income.

This in turn impacts the collection of sales tax revenues for the city as it decreases the discretionary spending for this group. VB City and School's combined are one of the largest employers in Hampton Roads meaning that those employees contribute significantly to the economic well-being of this area.

It used to be that public managers made two, maybe three times the average salary, but now that gap has grown.

I heard Councilman Bill DeSteph speak today at the Veterans luncheon. He is smart, articulate and very passionate on everything he is doing. Shame on the rest of the City Council for not following this true inspirational leader. The City Manager was not even at the luncheon. Why not. The City was closed today? Way to go Mr. DeSteph. Keep up the great work.

NO NAME wrote:

Of course he is not worth that much moncy! I don't believe anyone is worth that much money except firefighters and police because they put their lives on the line every time they step out of the stations. When you see all the people out of work and people that are barely making it with not even 30,000.00 a year how can you jusitify that much money for a city manager?

Well, if your going to start name groups, how could you possible leave out the Military. Especially those who have seen combat... I can't imagine.

Sincerely, a non-military related person

If you think DeSteph is such an inspirational leader, you are deluded. He barely won his election 4 years ago and has no allies on council. For all the so-called city employees posting, you can think DeSteph for not supporting your salary, health care and retirement because he NEVER votes to approve the budget.