LONGMONT — Longmont’s city manager got a raise. And a bonus. And he wants to give half of them back.

Just hours after getting a 4 percent raise and 5 percent bonus from the Longmont City Council on Tuesday, City Manager Harold Dominguez asked that he get only half the amount, with the rest being set aside for employee recognition and appreciation.

“It’s a fundamental belief of mine that I’m as good as anyone else in the organization,” Dominguez said. “It takes all of us to come together and work.”

Dominguez started with Longmont in April 2012 at a base salary of $175,000. That would put his approved raise at $7,000 and his bonus at $8,750. If the council agrees to his suggestion — proposed in a 2 a.m. email following a late-night meeting — that would set $7,875 aside for employee recognition efforts.

Mayor Dennis Coombs said he wasn’t surprised by the offer.

“Harold is the ultimate team player and he puts his team first,” Coombs said. “I’m sure (the council) will fully support his decision. I can’t speak for anyone but myself, but I know I will.”

The city has been looking at combining employee-centered groups such as the Employee Advisory Group or the Employee Recognition Committee into a single organization. But by whatever name, Dominguez said, the groups don’t usually have a lot of funds to support what they do. This seemed like an appropriate way to help, he said.

“Without their support, it could have been a difficult year,” Dominguez said of the city’s employees. “And it wasn’t.”

Scott Rochat can be reached at 303-684-5220 or srochat@times-call.com.