The City of Sequim completed its annual evaluation of City Manager Charlie Bush on Monday, August 13. The City Council consistently gave Bush very good to excellent ratings in each performance category. The Council used a rating scale of 1 – 10, with 8 representing “very good,” 9 representing “excellent,” and reserving 10 for a score of “perfect” for the evaluation. Bush received an overall score of 9.0. The score was comprised of ratings in twelve areas: commitment, 9.2; knowledge and decision making, 9.2; planning, organizing, and implementation, 8.6; financial management, 9.0; interagency relations, 8.4; communications, 8.6; management, 9.2; Council-City Manager partnership, 8.4; responsiveness, 8.8; openness, 9.4; employee relations, 8.4; and public relations, 9.0.
The City Council indicated their appreciation of the City Manager’s commitment, vision, credibility, trustworthiness, innovation, and accomplished leadership; all which result in Sequim being on the map as a player.
“We continue to be very pleased with Charlie’s performance”, said Mayor Dennis Smith. Bush added, “I am grateful for the positive working relationship that I have with the City Council and the opportunity they provide me to serve our community; this evaluation reflects positively on my performance and on the organization as well.”
Looking towards the future, the Council asked for continued focus and attention on the City’s personnel policies, ensuring adequate managerial coverage when senior staff absences overlap, achieving policies that balance development and community interests, broadening staff expertise within the Community Development Department, seeking to reduce unreasonably restrictive or confusing business regulations, and continuing to refine the on-boarding procedures for new Councilmembers.
At the Council’s direction, Bush will receive a 2% merit increase at the beginning of 2019. He will also receive a 1.5% cost of living adjustment, per the terms of his contract. The City Council voted to financially support a trip next year for Bush to Sequim’s Sister City, Shiso City, Japan, where he will work on establishing a staff exchange program for the benefit of both cities. The Council also voted to make a small adjustment to his contract to allow for a city issued cell phone.
For more information, please contact Dennis Smith at (360) 477-4936 or dsmith@sequimwa.gov.