Town Manager Dave Richards has confirmed that he is seeking employment elsewhere.

His decision stemmed primarily from a recent decision by the Pahrump Town Board to give him a 2 percent merit increase retroactive to six months ago.

In the past, Richard has received a 4 percent increase retroactive to his anniversary date of Jan. 20.

"The results of my performance evaluation, while satisfactory, and the town board's actions on Tuesday related to my annual increase cause me real concern about my future here in Pahrump," Richards wrote. "That being the case, I have applied to other governmental agencies in search of employment where my efforts might be more in line with expectations and needs of their governing board."

Richards also expressed regret about leaving Pahrump and his staff behind.

"I truly love my career in the public sector and enjoy the challenges Pahrump presents daily," Richards wrote. "Moreover, it is a joy to work with a truly professional and warm-hearted administrative staff and the town's employees that have become my second family."

The town manager did not specify where he was seeking other employment and declined to add additional comments to the email.