LEWISTON — City Administrator Ed Barrett will get a 2 percent raise, councilors agreed Tuesday, boosting his annual salary from $124,956 to $127,455.

“We have to reward excellence,” Councilor Jim Lysen said. “You have to look at the breadth of knowledge and experience of someone and not just compare them to someone that’s been in the job for three years. Ed’s been around the block.”

Barrett has been involved in local government in Maine since 1988, when he left Wichita Falls, Texas, to take a position as Bangor’s city manager. He served as the Bangor city manager until Lewiston hired him away in December 2009. Barrett was paid $110,000 annual salary to start and that increased by $6,000 when he completed his first six months. The contract also gave Barrett a $400 automobile credit, $30 per month for a cellphone, the same health benefits as other city employees and contributions to a retirement account.

Since 2010, councilors have extended his contract six times.

Tuesday’s was the most recent extension, and councilors voted to give him a raise equal to the raises given to the city’s other nonunion employees in the most recent rounds of salary negotiations.

Councilor Mike Lachance said he valued Barrett and his experience but could not support the raise.

“I have issues with the amount of compensation, and this has been pretty much broadcast to me by constituents,” Lachance said.

Some attendees at Tuesday’s meeting also balked.

Chuck Soule of 135 Bartlett St. said his pension has not increased with regularity. Luke Jensen of 45 Sylvan Ave. also quibbled.

But councilors said Barrett was worth it.

“We are talking about almost $3,000 here, and I think the city will make that back benefiting from Ed’s expertise, his education and years of experience and impeccable integrity,” Councilor Tim Lajoie said.

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