Myrtle Beach approves new contract, raise, moving bonus for city manager

Myrtle Beach City Manager John Pedersen received high marks from Myrtle Beach City Council members Tuesday when the board approved his second-year contract along with a 3 percent raise and $3,500 for moving expenses.

The bump in pay – mirroring merit raises given to other city employees – brings Pedersen’s annual salary to $169,950. Council members say he’s earned every penny after successfully taking the reins Nov. 3, 2014 from former City Manager Tom Leath, who led the city through nearly three decades including growing pains to become a top tourist destination.

“To have come behind such a giant figure is tough,” said Councilman Randal Wallace, but “John (Pedersen) has done exceptionally well this year.”

Pedersen had experience. He joined the Myrtle Beach ranks as assistant city manager in 2002, after serving several years in Durham, N.C., first as an administrative assistant, then finance director, then assistant city manager.

Pedersen moved with his wife and two daughters to North Myrtle Beach in 2002. Last year, he was picked as Myrtle Beach’s new city manager among a pool of more than 80 applicants.

City ordinance requires the city manager live in Myrtle Beach so while Pedersen’s house was being built in the city, he had to move into a rental unit last year, Wallace said. That’s why the council is giving him $3,500 for moving expenses, Wallace said.

“I didn’t have a hard time saying let’s help him out there because he had to make two moves,” Wallace added.

Pedersen thanked the council for its support Tuesday and recognized the hundreds of city employees that keep the city running.

“I appreciate the support from our 850 employees who have done a really good job this past year,” he said.

“We are all impressed by the fact that Mr. Pedersen invariably puts the welfare of this city and his employees often ahead of his own,” said Councilman Phil Render, before the unanimous vote to keep Pedersen in office.

Like his predecessor, Pedersen faces challenges with the task of recruiting new employees as leaders retire, getting the city through Memorial Day, safeguarding and bolstering tourism and ushering in a new era of growth with the redevelopment of downtown.

“You’ve had an extraordinarily tough job to come in and do this job behind someone who had held it for 29 very successful years. I think you have done outstanding,” Wallace told Pedersen.

The city’s Chief Justice Jennifer Wilson was also unanimously approved for another four-year term with an annual salary of $110,000.

This story was originally published December 9, 2015 at 5:26 PM with the headline "Myrtle Beach approves new contract, raise, moving bonus for city manager."