New Poplar Bluff city manager to be paid $41K more than former manager

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- By a 5-2 vote Monday night, the Poplar Bluff City Council approved a one-year contract with Heath Kaplan, the new city manager.

Kaplan, who will begin his job Aug. 18, will be paid an annual salary of $160,000, which is $41,000 more than Doug Bagby, the former city manager, was making when he was fired May 5.

"He is an amazing candidate," Mayor Angela Pearson said. "To attract someone with the quality Mr. Kaplan offers, they cost money. There are things you have to pay for to get them here."

During a June 16 discussion about a job description for the new city manager, Pearson noted Bagby was being paid "a very high salary."

In addition to the benefits other city employees receive, Kaplan will receive up to $15,000 in moving expenses, an $80,000 life insurance policy, $8,000 toward a 457 (retirement) Plan and an annual allowance of $5,000 for a car for his personal use as well as his use as the city manager. Kaplan also will be reimbursed for business-related expenses and reasonable cellphone expenses.

While council members Betty Absheer and Ed DeGaris had voted to hire Kaplan during a special meeting July 29, they disagreed with the contract.

"I was not against Mr. Kaplan getting the position. The only problem is the amount of salary and his benefits are greater than what the other employees get," DeGaris said after the meeting.

Absheer said she would support Kaplan as city manager, but "I could not support the package we approved tonight." She noted the council members had been "concerned about cutting back" on expenses, but "this package does not allow cutting back."

Mayor Pro Tem Jack Rushin, who was chairman of the city manager search committee, explained how other cities have offered more pay to attract a city manager who will stay longer. He noted that most of the applicants stayed in a community for six years or fewer.

After the meeting, Rushin said he supported a higher salary because of Kaplan's "background, accomplishments and expertise level."

Councilmen David Johnson, Peter Tinsley and Johnny Brannum also were asked after the meeting why they supported a higher salary.

"He was very impressive to me. He did his homework and knew what our city was all about," Johnson said. "He was ahead of all the other candidates."

Tinsley cited Kaplan's education and his experience.

"He was head and shoulders above all the other candidates," Tinsley said.

Brannum said Kaplan was "highly recommended" by the search committee.

Kaplan has a master's degree in public administration with a public management emphasis and a bachelor of arts degree in public administration with an emphasis in economics, accounting and public health from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The 40-year-old Muskegon, Michigan, resident has been serving as the finance and management services director for Muskegon County since November 2010. His salary was $111,000. He previously served two and a half years as city manager in Crandall, Texas, and has held positions in five Michigan communities smaller than Poplar Bluff. Muskegon County has 172,188 residents, and Crandall has 3,800 residents.

In a news release, Kaplan said, "I am thankful for the opportunity to become a part of the Poplar Bluff team. I intend to implement public management that is in line with best practices in the profession. I look forward to learning about the community's priorities and providing a responsive, efficient and friendly government."

He and his wife, Shannon, have one daughter, Sydney, and one son, Scott. They plan to move to Poplar Bluff before school starts.