City plans shift to career ladder pay structures for police and fire departments

Asheville City Council is taking significant steps to enhance compensation for public safety employees, with a focus on transitioning from outdated pay structures to a more modern career ladder system. During the budget work session on March 25, 2025, city officials discussed proposed changes aimed at improving salary competitiveness and employee retention within the Asheville Police Department (APD) and Asheville Fire Department (AFD).

The council highlighted the need for a shift away from the current step-based pay plans, which have been in place since the early 2000s. These plans have not functioned effectively since the Great Recession due to the absence of merit-based pay increases. The proposed career ladder approach aims to provide clearer career progression, enhance job satisfaction, and facilitate the recruitment of qualified personnel.

For the APD, the proposed adjustments include an average salary increase of approximately 7% and a one-time bonus of up to 3% for employees who do not receive a compression adjustment next year. This initiative is expected to cost over $1 million and will be the sole compensation increase for APD staff in the upcoming fiscal year.

Meanwhile, the AFD plans to implement its new career tracks over a five-year period, aligning its pay adjustments with those proposed for general city employees. While AFD anticipates minimal budgetary impacts for the next fiscal year, future costs related to the new pay structure are expected.

City officials are seeking input from council members on these proposals, with a follow-up discussion scheduled for April 8, 2025. The goal is to finalize recommendations that will be incorporated into the city manager's proposed budget, set to be presented in early May. This strategic move not only aims to address current salary compression issues but also positions Asheville as a competitive employer in attracting and retaining skilled public safety personnel.