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PHOENIX (AP) - A $78,000 pay raise that Phoenix City Manager David Cavazos will receive this year has prompted criticism from employee unions that say the city manager shouldn't see a large pay hike while parts of the city are hurting.

The Arizona Republic reports (http://bit.ly/XlOy2l) that the increase bumps Cavazos' annual salary to $315,000.

The city manager's raise comes as a hiring freeze remains in effect for police officers, and rank-and-file employees citywide haven't seen their pay and benefits fully restored after taking a cut three years ago.

City Council members say the increase is justified because Phoenix has for several years paid its manager substantially less than cities of comparable size.

The top executives in San Antonio or Dallas earn a base salary of $355,000 and $305,000, respectively.

Image courtesy phoenix.gov