The council, meeting in a closed executive session, approved a fiscal year 2009 salary of $118,119 for Langel, compared to his present salary of $113,850.

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"They wanted to give him at least what the bargaining unit got," said Assistant City Administrator Bill Cole.

The bargaining unit, which includes most city employees other than department heads, is under a five-year contract and received the 3.75 percent raise.

Langel will also receive mileage for city business at the approved city (IRS) rate for the year.

Council members also gave approval to continuation of the current retainer fee agreement with city attorney Joe Flannery. The 2009 agreement, identical to Flannery's current rate includes a $7,000 monthly retainer based on a $180 hourly rate for attorney's work, a $125 hourly rate for work in the paralegal area and a $15 hourly rate for clerical work. Compensation for extra hours will be paid quarterly, effective July 1, 2008 through June 20, 2009.