Ceres City Manager Brad Kilger announced today he will be leaving his post to become city manager of Benecia.
The Benecia City Council ratified a contract with Kilger at its meeting held Tuesday evening. Kilger will start in Benicia - a city of approximately 28,000 - on Dec. 13 at a salary of $187,500, which is $37,500 more than the salary earned in Ceres.
Kilger's last day on the job will be on Dec. 3.
He was selected by Benicia from a candidate pool of 73 applicants after an extensive recruitment process.
"I will definitely miss the people of Ceres", said Kilger. "Through the leadership of the City Council and the dedication and hard work of the staff we have been able to accomplish a lot for the citizen of Ceres, even though we were in the midst of the most significant economic downturn since the great depression. I will most of all miss the city staff. They have continually given their all for the community."
Kilger, 56, said while he enjoys working in Ceres the move to the Bay Area city will be an opportunity to move up professionally.
"I wasn't actively looking," said Kilger. "It definitely was an opportunity for me professionally."
The increased compensation package was "part of the reason," he said.
"I would say the compensation is significant in addition to the retirement. It was a difficult choice because I really enjoy Ceres. I've been here four and a half years and I'm not saying it because all city managers say it but I think we have one of the best staffs in the Valley if not state. We've accomplished a lot of god things. We've built the community center and a fourth fire station. In spite of the recession, I feel like we've accomplished a lot of things."
Kilger said the new job allows him to pursue his passion, which is economic development.
"Benecia is an area that is heavy on economic development and tourism and revitalization. Professionally there is definite opportunities there."
Kilger has a wife of 32 years, Linda, have two grown children.
Benecia has agreed to pay Kilger an annual housing allowance of $2,000 per month for one year, decreasing to $1,000 per month by the fourth year of employment.
Kilger was hired by Ceres in February 2006 at a cost of $150,000 per year. His contract was amended twice, once in 2007 and again in 2008, making his salary $165,000. The 20 percent cuts to Kilger's compensation package resulted in a $40,000 savings to taxpayers and included a decrease in salary, deferred compensation, vacation and leave.
Prior to coming to Ceres Kilger was the community and economic development director for the city of Modesto.
The Benecia City Council ratified a contract with Kilger at its meeting held Tuesday evening. Kilger will start in Benicia - a city of approximately 28,000 - on Dec. 13 at a salary of $187,500, which is $37,500 more than the salary earned in Ceres.
Kilger's last day on the job will be on Dec. 3.
He was selected by Benicia from a candidate pool of 73 applicants after an extensive recruitment process.
"I will definitely miss the people of Ceres", said Kilger. "Through the leadership of the City Council and the dedication and hard work of the staff we have been able to accomplish a lot for the citizen of Ceres, even though we were in the midst of the most significant economic downturn since the great depression. I will most of all miss the city staff. They have continually given their all for the community."
Kilger, 56, said while he enjoys working in Ceres the move to the Bay Area city will be an opportunity to move up professionally.
"I wasn't actively looking," said Kilger. "It definitely was an opportunity for me professionally."
The increased compensation package was "part of the reason," he said.
"I would say the compensation is significant in addition to the retirement. It was a difficult choice because I really enjoy Ceres. I've been here four and a half years and I'm not saying it because all city managers say it but I think we have one of the best staffs in the Valley if not state. We've accomplished a lot of god things. We've built the community center and a fourth fire station. In spite of the recession, I feel like we've accomplished a lot of things."
Kilger said the new job allows him to pursue his passion, which is economic development.
"Benecia is an area that is heavy on economic development and tourism and revitalization. Professionally there is definite opportunities there."
Kilger has a wife of 32 years, Linda, have two grown children.
Benecia has agreed to pay Kilger an annual housing allowance of $2,000 per month for one year, decreasing to $1,000 per month by the fourth year of employment.
Kilger was hired by Ceres in February 2006 at a cost of $150,000 per year. His contract was amended twice, once in 2007 and again in 2008, making his salary $165,000. The 20 percent cuts to Kilger's compensation package resulted in a $40,000 savings to taxpayers and included a decrease in salary, deferred compensation, vacation and leave.
Prior to coming to Ceres Kilger was the community and economic development director for the city of Modesto.
