At their June 17, Hinesville City Council meeting the Mayor and Council approved a two-step pay increase for City Manager Kenneth Howard. The Courier learned about the pay increase days after the meeting and sent an open Record request to the City on June 23.

According to the open records document City Council conducted Howard’s performance evaluation during the Executive Session. Mayor and Council came to the conclusion that Hinesville Mayor Allen Brown should meet with Howard and Human Resources an awarded Howard a two-step increase. Howard’s salary will increase from $156,133.60 per year to $164,037.94 per year.

This is the third pay increase for Howard who in May of 2020 was given a one-step increase taking his salary from $149,338.26 to $153,072.23. In May of 2019 the City completed a compensation plan study and awarded Howard with a two-step equity adjustment for his longevity with the City. His salary went from $142,142.78 to $149,338.26.

Howard was appointed as the new City Manager in January of 2018, after the departure of former City Manager Billy Edwards, becoming the first African American to hold the title. His salary at the time of appointment was $130,505.70 per year, according to a previous article in the Coastal Courier.

Assistant City Manager Ryan Arnold was also hired in 2018. According to City documents, in August of 2019 he was given an increase to receive $84,629.86 per year. By October of 2020 his salary was $86,332.46 per year and Arnold was given an increase to $88,480.52 per year.