Abujbarah’s pay boosted – again
by Jason Stone

CAVE CREEK – After Town Manager Usama Abujbarah did not get the raise Mayor Vincent Francia was pushing for, Cave Creek Town Council took the predictable path–they gave Abujbarah even more money.

The council on Monday night amended Abujbarah’s two‑year contract, giving him a 16.5 percent raise or $112,500 per year. Council had already approved earlier this month upping Abujbarah’s pay from $94,000 to $103,000 annually.

Francia was upset that the council did not follow town staff’s recommendation that Abujbarah be paid $110,000 per year. That figure, staff has said, is commensurate with what managers in other municipalities the size of Cave Creek are being paid.

After a one‑hour debate on Monday night, the council by a 5‑1 vote approved the new contract.

“If this has the trickle‑down effect that I hope it will, it will show the appreciation we have for the people working for us,” said Councilwoman Kim Brennan, who made the motion for the amended salary.

Raising Abujbarah’s salary has been a contentious issue, and citizens for and against the pay raise spoke at the July 10 meeting and at the Monday night meeting. Some cited his leadership in managing the town’s growing budget, while detractors criticized what they perceived as negative results during his tenure.

“If it’s not your most important responsibility as a council to hire competent staff, it’s among your top three priorities,” Planning Commissioner Bob Williams told the council Monday night. “I’ve never heard anyone in any forum question his competence.”

Williams and two other citizens suggested raising Abujbarah’s salary to $130,000 a year to compete with mid‑level managers in the corporate world.

“If he doesn’t feel wanted or loved, he may go away,” Cave Creek resident Janet Mohr said.

Councilwoman Grace Meeth was the dissenting vote.

“There’s more to this than just his salary,” Meeth said. “Usama gets a very good benefit package, so this just isn’t about $103,000 or $110,000 or $112,000.”

Reach the reporter at jason@thedesertadvocate.com.