COEUR d'ALENE - Lake City Development Corp. agreed to increase compensation for its executive director by 3 percent on Wednesday.

The urban renewal board agreed to allow Tony Berns, director since 2001, to decide whether that increase will go toward his salary, the 401k payment program, or divided between the two.

"We all agree Tony has done an excellent job with the urban renewal agency," said board member Rod Colwell. "He's basically done a one-person show. We haven't had to hire any additional help."

The decision was made following the position's annual review on the five-year contract.

The board did not raise Berns' base salary of $120,840 in the last two years, saying in each instance that the timing for a raise wouldn't be appropriate given the economic condition. Both years it did increase the 401k package by roughly 3 percent. Last year that bump was by $3,817 to $18,792.

This year it gave Berns a choice where to put the 3 percent.

Berns said following the meeting he wasn't sure how he would divide it, but thanked the board for its show of support.

"I would commend the board for all the work and dedication they give to the community," Berns said. "They're all volunteers and I'm paid staff, so I truly appreciate their acknowledgment. But I don't think they receive near enough acknowledgment for what they do for the community. It's a great board to work for."

Berns is the lone paid staff for LCDC. It used to fund one third of the salary for an online communications coordinator shared between the agency, the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce and the Coeur d'Alene Visitors Bureau, before chamber officials terminated the position June. 10.