KC city manager gets short contract extension

The Kansas City Council on Thursday postponed a decision on a three-year contract extension for City Manager Troy Schulte.

Schulte’s employment agreement was set to expire Dec. 1, and Mayor Pro Tem Scott Wagner had hoped the council would wrap up his contract extension this week.

But nine members of the 13-member council just took office Aug. 1, and some of those new people said they wanted more time to work with and get to know Schulte before considering his long-term employment.

The council voted to extend his existing contract and salary another three months, until Feb. 25, 2016, when they will revisit the long-term agreement.

Schulte, who runs the day-to-day operations of city government, said of the council’s decision, “I’m keeping my options open.”

Mayor Sly James, who has been a staunch supporter of the city manager, was out of town Thursday and not present for the vote.

Schulte was named interim city manager in late 2009, replacing Wayne Cauthen.

He was then officially named city manager in 2011, with a salary of $187,200. He got a raise in 2013 and 2014 and now makes $209,104. By comparison, James, the city’s political leader, earns $123,156.

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 5:52 PM with the headline "KC city manager gets short contract extension."