In a recent government meeting, officials outlined a series of financial recommendations aimed at enhancing compensation for public safety employees, set to take effect on November 8, 2024. The proposed changes include a 2% merit increase tied to employees' anniversary dates within the public safety pay structure, which will not extend to those on the general pay structure.

The financial implications of these recommendations were significant. If implemented at the start of the fiscal year, the annual cost would have been approximately $1,335,100. However, due to the mid-year start, the immediate financial requirement is reduced to $81,800 for the current fiscal year. Approval of this measure would also commit future revenue for the 2026 budget.

Additionally, the meeting addressed a compression issue affecting long-serving public safety employees. The proposal includes tiered increases based on years of service: a 2% increase for those with 5 to 10 years, a 4% increase for 10 to 15 years, and a 6% increase for those with over 15 years of service. The anticipated cost for these adjustments in the current fiscal year is $29,700.

City officials emphasized that these recommendations are crucial for future budgeting, as they will need to be prioritized before any new services or initiatives can be considered. The total appropriation request for the current fiscal year stands at $131,300, with an anticipated annual cost of $275,200 for the 2026 budget.

The city manager is expected to introduce an ordinance to formalize these recommendations, with further discussions planned regarding adjustments to the general employees' pay structure in the coming months.