GOVERNMENT

Former interim City Manager Dana Souza topped the list of Naples highest paid

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City of Naples Deputy City Manager Dana Souza speaks during a dedication ceremony for Kathy Spalding's sculpture entitled "Scorpion", Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, at Baker Park in Naples.

Former interim City Manager Dana Souza was the city of Naples' highest paid official in 2021 with another 36 employees earning $100,000 or more, according to city data.

The city of Naples had 455 non-temporary employees on payroll costing the city more than $28 million annually as of Nov. 15, data provided by the city shows. Forty six additional employees were seasonal such as lifeguards and staff assigned to parks.

Souza was making $206,000 annually before he resigned to became city manager on Sanibel Island. Fire Chief Pete DiMaria and Police Chief Tom Weschler were the next highest paid officials at $165,467 each.

Related:Naples OKs 24% salary raise for Fire Chief Pete DiMaria as he takes on interim city manager role

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Naples City Council voted unanimously on Oct. 14 to select Fire Chief Pete DiMaria as interim city manager effective Nov. 6, 2021.

DiMaria became interim city manager effective Nov. 6 following the resignation of Souza. DiMaria's new salary is $206,000. 

Employees earning $100,000 or more annually were 8% of all non-temporary staff and they represented less than half of a percent of all the money the city spends to pay employees who work year round.

Naples' highest paid city officials on payroll as of Nov. 15 were:

  1. Dana Souza, interim city manager: $206,000
  2. Peter DiMaria, fire chief: $165,467
  3. Thomas Weschler, police chief: $165,467
  4. Robert Middleton, director of utilities: $159,120
  5. Gary Young, director of finance: $159,120
  6. Gregg Strakaluse, director of streets and stormwater: $151,060
  7. Craig Mole, director of building services: $151,060
  8. Charlotte O'Bryon, director of human resources: $145,600
  9. Erica Martin, director of planning: $145,600
  10. Matthew Fletcher, police assistant chief: $141,487
  11. Robert Montagano, police assistant chief: $141,487
  12. Philip Pennington, fire rescue deputy chief: $141,487

Source: City of Naples

Gregg Strakaluse, director of streets and stormwater, resigned effective Dec. 10, said Monique Barnhart, the city's spokeswoman.