Officials Consider Changes to Farmington Civic Theater Manager Compensation

 agree that things are looking up at the  thanks in large part to the efforts of contracted manager Scott Freeman.

During a city council study session Monday, city manager Vince Pastue brought forward the idea of raising the amount of Freeman's contract, which stands at $48,100, to the "60-plus range", in exchange for his spending more time at the theater. Freeman currently holds a full-time job in addition to his work with the city.

"I'm comfortable with it being a pretty profitable operation," Pastue said. "It's come a long way from where it was a couple of years ago." 

Freeman started in the fall of 2010 and has pulled the theater budget well into the black with strong promotions and increased rentals. Earlier this year, city officials paid off bonds that were sold to renovate the building, so those payments will no longer be taken out of theater revenues.

City councilmember JoAnne McShane said she was reluctant to approve such a large increase, without seeing what other theater managers are paid. 

"But even then, I have to look increasing costs," she said. 

"I think what would help," councilmember Kristin Kuiken said, "is having an idea of what we have achieved, and what we want to achieve down the road, to help quantify a pay increase. There's a lot of limits on our funds."

Mayor Tom Buck pointed out that other city employees have taken pay cuts and have added responsibilities. "It's a little tough for me, unless you're expanding the scope of the job," he said.

Freeman is due a bonus of about $8,000, tied to profitability, Pastue said. He suggested dropping the bonus amount as the salary increases. 

"I'm looking at the position itself," McShane said. "What are the requirements, what do we want from that position, no matter who it is."

Pastue said he would continue discussions with Freeman and bring more specifics to a future meeting.