Some of the gains were the result of improved financial systems. The city, founded in 1997, had never filed its financial reports with the state on time. That cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars a year because it affected letters of credit on the city's gas and electric bonds.

Bailey also oversaw the reduction of the city's overall debt from $63 million to $51 million. Another $4 million could be shaved off that total by the time he steps down because the FCC is considering the city's plan sell its telecommunications utility.

However, Bailey's term was marked by controversy and friction apart from his faked carjacking, which led three of five council members to ask him to resign.

Former city councilwoman Diane Jacob chafed at what she said was the tight control Bailey and others kept on information. She resigned in December but said Bailey had a positive impact.

"He has done good things for the city," she said. "His communications skills and open-door policy were appreciated by residents."

Bailey and some council members frequently raised the possibility of giving Bailey raises or making him a full-time mayor. Some City Council members raised the idea of a full-time mayor again in the past few weeks, but it was kept off the council agenda.

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E-mail: twalch@desnews.com, kmartinez@desnews.com