 After taking office , Booker voluntarily reduced his own salary twice , reducing his salary by 8 % early in his first year as mayor . He also raised the salaries of many city workers . However , his administration imposed one @-@ day @-@ a @-@ month furloughs for all non @-@ uniformed employees from July through December 2010 , as well as 2 % pay cuts for managers and directors earning more than $ 100 @,@ 000 a year . In 2008 and 2009 the City of Newark received the Government Finance Officers Association 's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award . In an effort to make government more accessible , Booker has held regular open office hours during which city residents can meet with him personally to discuss their concerns . In 2010 , Booker was among the finalists for the World Mayor prize , ultimately placing seventh . He was an unsuccessful candidate for the 2012 award . 
