City Manager Mike Wildgen won’t get a pay raise this year, despite positive marks Wednesday during his annual job evaluation by the Lawrence City Commission.

“He offered (not to receive a raise) last year, and we turned him down,” Commissioner Sue Hack said. “He offered it again this year, and we accepted, based on our budget constraints.”

Wildgen joined Douglas County Administrator Craig Weinaug, who earlier declined a pay raise for the year.

“I think the pain should be shared,” Wildgen said, noting the city’s more than 700 employees did not receive a cost-of-living increase in 2004. “Craig beat me to it.”

Weinaug’s refusal of a pay raise merited mention Wednesday on the Fox News Channel. Wildgen doesn’t expect similar national attention.

“No,” Wildgen said, laughing. “I think Craig grabbed the balloon.”

Wildgen’s base salary is $117,616 a year, plus $8,710 in a “deferred compensation” retirement plan and a $416 a month car allowance.

He was hired as city manager in 1990, after serving more than a decade under then-City Manager Buford Watson.

After two hours behind closed doors Wednesday morning, commissioners emerged and voted unanimously to extend Wildgen’s contract another year.

“I think our city manager is performing extremely well,” Mayor David Dunfield said. “Mike’s command of operations at City Hall, his knowledge of people and organizations in the community, and just his commitment to the community (are strengths). Mike makes contributions beyond what is required in the job description.”

Dunfield said the commission asked Wildgen to make an extra effort during the coming year to be “proactive” in forecasting issues that will need City Commission attention.

“We need help to stay ahead of the issues,” Dunfield said.

Wildgen said he was grateful for the good review.

“I’m glad,” Wildgen said, “to be on the journey with them.”