City Manager Mike Wildgen got a vote of confidence and a 3 percent raise Wednesday as city commissioners completed his annual evaluation.

“His experience is invaluable,” said City Commissioner Boog Highberger, after commissioners finished a nearly two-hour closed door meeting to discuss Wildgen’s performance. “His integrity is unquestionable, and he has always been very responsive to me every time I ask him for information or to address a citizen concern.”

Commissioners, on a 5-0 vote, agreed to boost Wildgen’s base salary of $117,616 by 3 percent to $121,144. Wildgen also received a $2,000 increase in his deferred compensation retirement package, bringing that package to $10,706 per year. He also receives a $5,000 per year automobile allowance.

Wildgen, who has been the city’s top executive since 1990, said he appreciated the commissioners’ remarks.

“I think they recognized that a lot of things got done well last year, but we also recognize that every organization has room to improve,” Wildgen said.

Wildgen cited increased ridership on the T, implementation of the city’s smoking ban and continued work on making city government more accessible via the Internet as some significant accomplishments in 2004.

The largest issue that needs to be addressed in 2005, commissioners said, is an improvement in the city’s capital improvement plan. Highberger said the system was more of a “wish list” than a plan. Commissioner Sue Hack said commissioners mainly were seeking more details.

“I think, perhaps, we need a better understanding of why certain items make the list,” Hack said.

The raise was a first for Wildgen since 2003. Wildgen declined to accept a pay raise last year because the rest of the city’s 700 employees did not receive a cost-of-living increase.

Wednesday’s review is the third strong evaluation Wildgen has received since January 2002, when commissioners ordered him to make city government more “user-friendly.” Wildgen was evaluated six months later and received passing grades and a 3 percent raise, though Mayor Mike Rundle voted against the raise.

On Wednesday, Rundle voted for Wildgen’s salary increase but said he still had some concerns with the city manager’s performance. In addition to concerns with the capital improvement process, he said he had questions about high turnover rates in the Neighborhood Resources and Planning departments.

“The consensus of the commission is that we’re satisfied and well-pleased,” Rundle said. “My personal opinion is that we have had a lot of issues raised over the last couple of years related to performance. Personally, I still think the city manager could take great leaps.”

City commissioners surveyed seven area cities in researching Wildgen’s compensation. His salary ranked below city manager salaries in Overland Park, Lenexa, Shawnee, Leawood, Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Olathe. His salary was higher than that of his counterpart in Manhattan.