Council members used the budget review to press staff on employee pay levels, staffing gaps and training strategies for certified positions.

Multiple council members raised concerns that some entry-level city positions remained at low hourly rates; one council member said, “$9.75 an hour. I don't know how someone lives on that,” and urged the council to consider whether the proposed pay adjustments were sufficient to retain employees. Staff said under the proposed pay adjustment some new hires would start at $9.75 per hour, and that employees hired under the prior scale would be brought up to the new rate after passage of the budget.

Council members also questioned how department heads were involved in raise decisions and asked whether long-term vacancies (for example, the police chief vacancy before the swearing-in) were contributing to surplus funds. Miss Phillips (finance staff) explained some departments had budgeted salary dollars but had underspent year-to-date, which contributed to a surplus.

The council discussed staffing for utilities: a council member asked whether the water and sewer operator positions were fully staffed and how many certified operators the city had. Staff said the city currently has two certified operators and can hire trainees who will be paid while training; the council asked whether training costs were reimbursed and whether the city required a retention contract. City staff answered that trainees are paid during training but that the city does not have a binding retention contract requiring staff to stay for a set period after certification.

Members asked staff to consider whether offering retention agreements or step raises could reduce turnover and whether unspent salary lines should be redirected to recruit and retain personnel. Council members also asked for inventories and cost estimates for items such as building insurance on vacant city-owned properties and for Christmas decorations stored in city facilities before committing additional funds.

No formal votes on pay scale changes or retention contracts occurred during the meeting; council members requested additional information and time to review potential adjustments before acting.