Bar Harbor to pay new town manager 32% more than predecessor
BAR HARBOR, Oct. 20, 2023 - James Smith, the new town manager, will make 32 percent more than the previous town manager Kevin Sutherland, who was let go in January.
According to his personal service contract signed Tuesday, Smith will make $155,000 in his first year of a three-year contract. Any increase for the last two years are subject to negotiations.
A $250 a month mileage benefit will help Smith’s commute from Brewer, where he was assistant city manager. The council has waived any requirement that he resides in Bar Harbor.
Smith is scheduled to start Nov. 15.
Sutherland is now the town manager in Newcastle. He was given 48 hours in January to accept the town’s severance of $68,000.
Other department head salaries include $128,000 for the public works director, $113,720 for the finance director and $106,480 for the planning director.
Read the QSJ’s profile of Smith from last week as the second article in this post.
I volunteer to take the job for half that pay. I waive any "settlement" fee if fired. No contract is necessary; I work on merit alone. You do have to provide a tent for me to go live in, please, now that housing is so scarce. As I am by far the most qualified candidate, I await the call of the next Search Committee .
155k is a lot for Brewer.
Hot take but maybe they should pay him less if he doesn't have to pay the out-of-control housing costs on MDI.