The City of Soldotna has come to an agreement with Janette Bower and she has accepted the position of city manager of Soldotna and will start on May 15th, 2023.
According to the City of Soldotna, the agreement which will begin on May 15th, 2023 shall continue until May 15th, 2026 unless terminated or extended.
According to the employment agreement, Bower’s initial salary is $165,000 per year. After 6 months, Bower’s salary may increase by an amount determined during the six month performance evaluation, upon receiving a favorable evaluation. Any other salary increases shall be determined by the City Council in its sole discretion during the annual performance evaluation and as part of the budget process. The City will provide the Bower with health (medical, dental, vision) insurance coverage and benefits in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). In consideration of Employee being available on a 24 -hours basis as needed, the City shall provide a monthly car allowance for expenses associated with use of Employee’s motor vehicle in the amount of five-hundred-dollars ($500) to the extent allowed by the City of Soldotna Motor Vehicle Usage Policy.
The City shall provide the Employee a one-time relocation allowance in the amount of five-thousand-dollars ($5,000), less applicable payroll taxes, to be paid with Employee’s first payroll check. In the event that Employee ends employment with the City within two-years of first day of work, Employee agrees to pay City a pro-rated amount of the $5,000 relocation allowance payment based on the length of employment with the City.
Bower currently serves as the City Manager for the City of Seward and has held the position since May of 2021.
The Soldotna City Council, on February 8th, approved a two-month extension to the current contract for City Manager Stephanie Queen to allow for a smooth transition, extending Queen’s contract through April 28, 2023. Queen announced she would not seek to renew her employment contract with the City of Soldotna on November 29, 2022. Queen’s original employment agreement expires on February 28, 2023.