Deputy city manager, Noel Treat, will be paid $171,000 per year when he takes over as the new city manager in January 2014. He will be replacing Rich Conrad, who announced his retirement earlier this year. Treat was selected after the City Council decided to limit the search to internal candidates.

Treat became the deputy city manager just over a year ago after being selected from a recruitment process that involved over 100 candidates. Treat was unanimously selected as the next deputy city manager by the nine-member interview panel following what city documents describe as a two-day intensive interview process.

Prior to working for City of Mercer Island, Treat was the deputy superintendent for Seattle Public Schools and chief of staff with King County.

According to his employment contract with the City of Mercer Island, Treat will be paid an annual base salary equal to $171,000 during the first year of this agreement. In the second year of the contract, his base salary will be increased by 3 percent or by the 2015 cost of living adjustment awarded to unrepresented employees, whichever is greater.

The new city manager will receive all benefits provided for director level employees, including — without limitation — all annual cost of living increases given to non-represented employees (beginning in 2016).

Each year, Treat will also be eligible for an annual performance payment or a bonus, as determined by City Council.

As city manager he will also will receive the following benefits:

• A vehicle allowance of $400 a month in lieu of mileage reimbursement for use of his personal vehicle for business purposes.

• A $500 per month contribution into a deferred compensation 401A Plan.

• A vacation allotment of 200 hours per year, the equivalent of 25 days, as well as standard city holidays.

Treat is not required to reside within the city. However, he must live no further than a 10-minute commute to the city and must maintain a publicly listed telephone.

According to information from the fiscal.wa.gov website, Christine Gregoire was paid $161,000 in her last year as governor. More than 4,500 Washington state employees — primarily those in higher education jobs — were paid between $100,000 and $200,000 in 2012.