Contract calls for $160k salary for new I.C. manager

Iowa City's new city manager would receive the same annual salary, $160,000, as his predecessor, under a proposed contract.

The City Council on Oct. 11 is expected to approve the contract with Tom Markus, the Birmingham, Mich., city manager the council recently picked to serve in the same role here.

Markus' salary would be the same as Michael Lombardo's when Lombardo was fired by the council in April 2009 for undisclosed reasons.

Markus also would receive health, disability and life insurance benefits; a $475-per-month automobile allowance and contributions to his retirement plan.

He also would be reimbursed moving expenses and receive $1,000 a month for up to 12 months for housing expenses until he closes on a home in Iowa City.

If the council were to fire Markus, he would continue to be paid for nine months or until he got a new job, whichever comes first.

The 59-year-old Markus would start with Iowa City on Dec. 1, according to the contract.