Robert Mak's $160K city salary ruffles feathers

When former KING 5 reporter Robert Mak starts his new job as communications director for Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels next month, his salary of nearly $160,000 will rank among the highest in city government — topping assistant police chiefs and even the mayor.

The high pay is drawing criticism from City Councilmember Nick Licata, who questions why Mak will earn about $60,000 more than Nickels' previous two communications directors.

"I just personally don't think the mayor should be hiring a communications director at that salary," Licata said. "Why do you need to pay someone that much for those skills?"

Licata speculated that Nickels could be looking to boost his popularity before running for re-election to a third term next year. "He should be very careful not to give the appearance that he is doing proto-campaign work," Licata said.

Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis defended Mak's salary, saying the demands of the communications director's job have become more complex because of Nickels' growing national profile on issues such as climate change.

"I spent the better part of eight months trying to find the person we wanted in this position. We found Robert and we think he's going to be a tremendous asset to the office and the city as a whole," he said.

Ceis was irritated by Licata's criticism. "I don't poke around and ask questions about Nick's personnel and the council's personnel. I don't think it's any of their business about how we deal with personnel issues in the mayor's office."

Mak's predecessor, Marianne Bichsel, made $104,000 in 2007 before quitting to join a nonprofit. Casey Corr, the mayor's first communications director, made about $94,000 before leaving in 2005 to run for City Council.

According to a list of 2008 salaries provided by the city personnel department Thursday, Mak's pay of $159,607 will make him the 25th highest-paid city employee. (That doesn't include overtime pay, which sometimes greatly boosts the pay for utility workers and some others.)

Mak's salary will be higher than assistant Seattle police chiefs, such as Nick Metz and Jim Pugel, who each will make $152,048 this year. They've both been with the Seattle Police Department for more than 20 years.

Mak will make less than Ceis ($187,317), Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske ($188,315), Fire Chief Greg Dean ($173,709) and several City Light and Seattle Public Utilities executives. Nickels will make $159,440 this year.

Mak's pay will also be generous compared with some of his local counterparts.

Pearse Edwards, communications director for Gov. Christine Gregoire, gets $125,000. Carolyn Duncan, communications director for King County Executive Ron Sims, makes $120,000. George Howland Jr., spokesman for the Seattle City Council, gets $81,000.

Mak was known as a tough questioner of local politicians on his weekly public-affairs show "Up Front." His decision to leave the station after 16 years caught his bosses by surprise this week.

Mak said he understands why some may criticize his salary, and vowed to earn every dollar.

"I have spent years chasing after the use of taxpayer dollars, so I am very mindful of the responsibility I have to give taxpayers their money's worth," Mak said.

Jim Brunner: 206-515-5628

or jbrunner@seattletimes.com