Ochoa's Salary in Glendale to Exceed $235,000

Monrovia City Manager Scott Ochoa will get a raise of more than $53,000 at the beginning of next year, according to public records.

Ochoa was appointed to the position in a unanimous vote last week and will take over for the city's current city manager, Jim Starbird, who is retiring. Starbird made about $240,000, slightly more than the $235,608 Ochoa will take in annually in salary after the Glendale City Council approved his contract Tuesday. Ochoa currently earns nearly $182,000 in Monrovia.

Ochoa will certainly be tasked with more responsibility. Glendale, with a population of about 197,000, is more than five times the size of Monrovia. Ochoa will also take charge of a much larger city work force. About 1,800 employees work for Glendale, compared to approximately 300 in Monrovia.

In addition to his salary, the new contract includes medical, dental and vision benefits, life insurance, executive leave, an automobile allowance, and a maximum of $5,000 in moving expense reimbursement. Ochoa would also receive 9 months in pay if he were terminated for any other reason than a felony.

Adjustments to Ochoa's pay and benefits can be made annually by the council after a performance review, documents show.

Ochoa takes over the Glendale position on Jan. 3, 2011. The will review a report detailing its next steps at its next scheduled meeting.