The DeKalb City Council Monday night awarded nearly $3,000 in a raise and lump sum to DeKalb City Manager Mark Stevens.

DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow said Stevens was rewarded for his “exceptional performance” during the past year. He said the council unanimously approved the raise.

“We’ve had a phenomenal year for the city,” Sparrow said. “The superior performance” of the city manager and his staff was an important reason for this, he said.

The decision to award Stevens a lump sum and a salary increase was because he was only one step away from the top salary possible, Sparrow said.

“He’s at the top of his (salary) grade,” Sparrow said. A performance like Stevens’ normally would be awarded two salary steps, he said. The lump sum was voted in to stress the council’s “strong support” of the city manager, he said.

Stevens’ annual salary will increase from $63,595 to $65,501, as if it began July 1, Sparrow said. The lump sum amount is 3 percent of his former salary, or $1,908.

The salary grade for a city manager is the highest grade in DeKalb. The salary minimum is $48,041, while Stevens’ pay exceeds the listed maximum of $62,680.

The council can vote Stevens lump sum bonuses of up to 10 percent of his salary to reward him in the future, Sparrow said. All city salary grades are also increased 4.5 percent annually, he said.

Sparrow said Stevens’ work on the Tax Increment Funding district, the capital budget and the city’s comprehensive planning are among his outstanding achievements. “I think he’s an exceptional city planner,” he said.

Stevens began as DeKalb’s city planner in 1983, Sparrow said. The city planner is appointed by the DeKalb City Council.