Treasure Island Gives City Manager a Raise

The Treasure Island City Council voted Tuesday to give City Manager Reid Silverboard a raise.

In a 4-1 vote, city commissioners increased the annual salary of the City Manager by one percent, from $104,013 to $105,053. The board also gave Silverboard a bonus of $2,101.

District 4 Commissioner Alan Bildz, who voted against the proposal, said there was not enough room in the budget to defend it. Last month, Treasure Island increased the property tax rate.

Silverboard was the person who recommended the change in property taxes for bridge repairs on the Isle of Capri and the Isle of Palms. The city estimates costs to upgrade both bridges  to be $4 million.

"The city manager is as good as he is," said Bildz. "It is sort of 'what have you done for me lately?' We have a decent budget, but the millage rate is too high for this year."

District 2 Commissioner Gail Caldwell disagreed. She insisted that the new millage rate is to make up for falling property values, and the City Manager should not be penalized.

"It's a bum rap for the city manager," Caldwell said.

The board also approved a "chill lounge" event on Saturday, March 21, 2012.

Chillounge festivals are open-air fundraisers that offer music, beverages and food for adults. There have been 16 different Chillounge events around the area, including one scheduled for November 19 at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg.

Hosting the Treasure Island Chillounge will be the Chamber of Commerce and Chillounge Night Director Rainer Scheer.

The final plan approved was slightly different to the one first proposed to the council. Originally, paid childcare services would have been present at the Community Center during the event.

"We decided to 'AK' (remove) the child care," Chamber of Commerce President Jody Armstrong said. "No child care, no issue."

The committee approved Chillounge Treasure Island 4-1. Bildz also produce the only no vote. He was concerned about sectioning off a city park for those aged 21 and older.

"I don’t agree we should fence off our park," Bildz said, "and have people spend $25 to get into it. I'm not going to support this."

Organizers hope to use the occasion to "revitalize downtown by offering an entertaining evening."

The board also unanimously approved the appointment of Carol Keller of Sunshine Lane to the Gulf Beaches Library Board.

Tresure Island City Hall is located at 120 108th Avenue, in downtown Treasure Island. For more information, visit the City of Treasure Island website.