27 City Employees Break the $100K Salary Barrier

The city of Sedona continues to see increases in employee salaries despite broader economic stagnation. Recent data indicates that the number of city staff earning over $100,000 annually has grown to 27, a rise from 24 in 2024 and 20 in 2023.

Furthermore, 23 staff members now earn between $80,000 and $100,000, up from 15 last year. Sedona’s fiscal year 2025 budget outlines 189 full-time equivalent staff positions, representing a 4.4% increase from the previous year. Salaries are budgeted at $14,027,312, a significant 9.6% rise, with benefits totaling $11,305,382—a striking 50.7% increase—leading to a total payroll of $25,332,694 funded by taxpayer dollars.

This budget reflects a 24.8% increase compared to fiscal year 2024. Compensation per full-time equivalent staff member averages $74,219 before benefits, which is up 5% from last year, resulting in an average of $134,035 after benefits, a jump of 19.5% from FY24.

New high earners in the city include Assistant City Attorney Monique Coady and Wastewater Regulatory Compliance Specialist Kelly Hanzel, both elevated to salaries exceeding $100,000. Others include Principal Planner Cynthia Lovely and three police sergeants.

Prominent figures within this salary bracket include:

• City Manager Anette Spickard: $190,000
• Deputy City Manager Andy Dickey: $180,366
• Financial Services Director Barbara Whitehorn: $180,000
• City Attorney Kurt Christianson: $172,777
• Police Chief Stephanie Foley: $155,584
• Community Development Director Steve Mertes: $141,255
• Magistrate Judge Paul Schlegel: $140,438
• Director of Public Works Kurt Harris: $139,913
• Wastewater Director Roxanne Holland: $135,187
• Information Technology Manager Chuck Hardy: $134,427
• Criminal Prosecutor William Kunish: $131,602

In addition, the 23 employees earning more than $80,000 include a range of specialists and managers, from Arts and Culture Specialist Nancy Lattanzi at $92,494 to various engineers earning between $82,493 and $96,841. This group is reflective of the city’s strengthening financial commitment to staff salaries.

Together, the 27 staffers earning over $100,000 comprise 25% of the pre-benefits wage budget. Meanwhile, those earning between $80,000 and $100,000 represent an additional 14.9%, an increase from 11.4% last year. The average raise for top earners was 5.5% in contrast to national figures, which saw a 1.4% increase in real average hourly earnings amidst a 2.8% inflation rate.

As of March 2025, Sedona’s minimum wage stands at $14.70 per hour, with median individual and household incomes recorded at $33,284 and $58,901, respectively. The city’s workforce has also expanded, employing 157 full-time staff, an increase from 149 in March 2024.

It is noteworthy that the city manager, magistrate judge, and city attorney are appointed directly by the Sedona City Council.