Council adopts new dentist classification, other pay-schedule and code updates for human services

The Lincoln City Council on Oct. 20 approved several human resources and municipal code changes intended to support public-health services and to align the city’s pay plan with recent labor negotiations.

Council members unanimously approved creating a permanent “dentist” classification in the pay schedule for the health department, a change city human-resources staff said is intended to improve recruitment and retention for the department’s dental clinic. Human-resources staff presented a salary range for the classification described in the meeting as “142,000 to 206” and said the amount is the city’s highest salary level and is based on market data and the department’s budget.

The council also approved creating a senior community outreach specialist classification to support the Healthy Families America program; staff said the new classification will provide leadership and mentoring and that the department will reallocate a vacant senior public-health nurse position to create the role, producing a net cost savings. Separately, the council approved deleting the chief information officer classification as the Information Services function is being reorganized and a director classification has been created.

In a broader package of code updates, the council approved amendments to sections of the municipal code to reflect negotiated labor-contract terms: changes include how employees move into higher pay ranges during probation, updated merit-pay percentage rates, adjustments to shift differential tables for certain classification prefixes, a reduction in minimum hours for project-leader pay from eight to six hours, clarifications on sick-leave pay computation and payout on retirement or death (60% of accumulated sick leave at the employee’s regular pay), expansion of leave-of-absence rules to cover unauthorized absences and job abandonment, and addition of education and travel leave provisions. Human-resources staff said these code changes implement recent labor-agreement outcomes.

Council commentary and questions centered on recruitment for the dental classification. Councilmember Newton asked whether hiring a permanent dentist would cost more or less than contracting for services; staff replied they expect compensation consistent with current contracting costs and that the in-house position could be less expensive. Councilmember Washington asked whether student loan assistance or other incentives had been considered; staff replied the position should qualify for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program after 10 years of continuous public employment, though the staff member noted uncertainty about current program standards.

All items in the human-resources and code package passed on unanimous roll-call votes.