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Janesville City Council gives Levitt positive review, but no raise

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Eric Levitt

JANESVILLE — Janesville City Manager Eric Levitt has received an excellent rating from the city council but no raise in pay.

The council reviewed Levitt's performance during a closed session Monday night.

"Eric is very aware of the fiscal challenges that the city is facing, and others have not received money," council President Kathy Voskuil said Tuesday.

Levitt started with the city in 2008 at a salary of $136,000. He received a raise on Dec. 31, 2010, when his pay was bumped to $140,080.

Other elements of Levitt's compensation package have not changed through the years.

Levitt gets a $5,100 annual vehicle allowance, $6,000 for a deferred compensation account, $1,200 cell phone allowance and five weeks vacation.

Council members reviewed Levitt on his organizational skills and fiscal management, relationship with the council and the public and leadership and long-range planning, Voskuil said.

"I'm pleased to report that his performance, based upon the compiled results of all the council members, was excellent," Voskuil said.

One of Levitt's greatest skills is his ability to "listen and be an active listener," she said. He "empowers" his staff and provides realistic fiscal feedback for the council. She said he also supports her own personal platform—fostering public engagement over and above public hearings.

"Eric treats everyone with respect and appreciates and gives credit where credit is due," she said. "He is very proud of the city staff, and he balances project timelines with the challenges of doing more with less—less city staff, less money. As a result of the challenges, Eric has championed innovative staffing and project funding opportunities."

"He has the ability to adapt to a situation and will do his best to turn a challenge around for the benefit of the city," Voskuil said.

Levitt's challenge in the upcoming year will be meeting city priorities while balancing workload and bolstering staff morale, Voskuil said.