Citing a more difficult job than city leaders anticipated and excellent results, Grass Valley City Council members granted interim City Administrator Jeff Foltz a 13 percent raise this week.

The raise, approved at Tuesday night's meeting, is part of a contract extension for the former Yuba City manager who started with Grass Valley in March, replacing the fired Gene Haroldsen.

"I offer the motion with my thanks for a wonderful job done," said Councilwoman Lisa Swarthout. "It hasn't been as easy as we'd thought it would be."

Swarthout didn't go into detail during the meeting, and other council members didn't make statements beyond saying "an emphatic yes" during their vote approving the interim administrator's raise and six-month contract extension.

Foltz will make $85 an hour, or $13,600 per month, under the new plan. He had been making $75 an hour.

"We'll never be able to thank Jeff Foltz enough for the job he's done," said Councilman Chauncey Poston after Tuesday's meeting. "At $85 an hour in today's market, it's a bargain."

The city can afford to increase the interim administrator's pay, because city leaders budgeted for a permanent replacement at $96 an hour starting in July, said Finance Director Carol Fish, prior to Tuesday's vote.

City leaders have acknowledged Grass Valley is in a tight financial situation, with an ongoing lawsuit with Denver-based Newmont Mining Corp., sewer treatment plant upgrades needed and road improvements.

Foltz's tenure has lasted longer than anticipated and the pay boost is needed to come closer to what he was making in Yuba City, said Mayor Mark Johnson earlier this week.

Grass Valley has had trouble finding a permanent replacement after firing Haroldsen in early February.

The city hired Rocklin-based Ralph Andersen and Associates for $22,500 to complete its administrator search.

The first round of candidates didn't garner a replacement who was a good fit for the city, Johnson said recently. A second round of candidates is anticipated soon, he added.

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To contact Staff Writer Greg Moberly, e-mail gregm@theunion.com or call 477-4234.