Birmingham city manager receives pay hike

By Grace Lovins

Birmingham City Manager Jana Ecker is set to receive a 5.7 percent pay increase after city commissioners voted during the Monday, November 9, meeting to increase her compensation package following a closed door session for an annual evaluation.

Ahead of the meeting, Ecker submitted an eight-page performance update, included in the meeting packet, that outlined the accomplishments achieved since her tenure began in July 2023. She covered accomplishments with city initiatives, finances, public safety improvements, community engagement, capital improvement projects, internal operations, as well as her professional development accomplishments and courses.

Among the accomplishments highlighted were the city’s purchase of The Community House following bankruptcy proceedings, the establishment of the Birmingham Community House Foundation, and the hiring of the foundation’s executive director to oversee operations.

Ecker also noted renovations at 400 E. Lincoln, including a long-term lease agreement with Next senior services and a short-term lease agreement recently entered into with the Birmingham Blue Dolphins to operate the building’s swimming pool.

When it came to financial accomplishments, Ecker highlighted the city’s continued AAA bond rating, a clean financial audit with no findings, updates to water and sewer rates, and the successful negotiation of several employee union contracts.

After coming out of closed session, mayor pro tem Therese Longe motioned to increase Ecker’s compensation by 5.7 percent, which passed in a 5-1 vote. Commissioner Brad Host was the lone vote in opposition to Ecker’s increase.

Ecker confirmed that her new annual salary with the increase will be $209,798. Her salary at the start of her tenure as city manager in 2023 was $175,000. The city manager's contract provides for an annual increase of at least 3.7 percent.