A handful of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s executive-level appointees could be in line for big raises, with bumps pushing 44%, after a proposal cleared the Finance and Governance Committee meeting this week.

City officials said the pay raises are needed to align salaries with the market median, attract and retain top talent,

Still, some committee members are worried about the optics, considering the city is already predicting possible budget cuts and “flat revenue” in the coming year.

The total proposed salary adjustments for the 12 identified positions would be $492,913, most of which would be absorbed by the General Fund.

City Finance Director Nicole Doheny would receive a 44% increase, from $185,365 to $266,162.

Denver International Airport Chief Executive Officer Phil Washington would receive a 17% pay increase, bringing his annual salary from $346,975 to $406,511.

The DEN Airport Enterprise fund would pay for Washington’s salary increase.

“I’ve long thought that these (executive director) positions were considerably underpaid, District 6 Councilmember Paul Kashmann said. “We’ve got some great directors who deserve more dough.”

Denver’s City Charter and the Colorado Constitution require that the salaries of charter officers — executive directors — be set by ordinance.

Charter officers are not eligible for merit raises and have not received a salary or merit-based adjustment in three years.

Proposed new salaries include:

Nicole Doheny, chief financial officer: $266,162 (+43.6%)

Anne-Marie Braga, Denver Human Services: $231,923 (+31.9%)

Al Gardner, General Services: $221,470 (+24.9%)

City attorney (filled by acting director): $268,479 (+24.3%)

Amy Ford, Transportation and Infrastructure: $240,676 (+23.3%)

Jolon Clark, Parks and Recreation: $207,454 (+21.7%)

Phil Washington, Denver International Airport: $406,511 (+17.2%)

Manish Kumar, Planning and Development: $216,077 (+17.3%)

Armando Saldate, Public Safety: $240,826 (+16.6%)

Molly Duplechian, Excise and Licenses: $176,800 (+14.5%)

Karin McGowan, Public Health and Environment: $210,972, (+11.8%)

Perla Gheiler, Human Rights and Community Partnerships: $176,800 (+4%)

Data: City and County of Denver

The proposal will now go to the full City Council for its first reading on May 19 and second reading on June 2.

Should the proposal pass, salaries would be effective July 1, city officials said.