Ethics board approves reclassification and $34 hourly pay for administrative specialist

The Tallahassee Ethics Board voted Sept. 16 to reclassify an administrative assistant position to “Ethics Training Coordinator” and to raise the incumbent’s pay to $34 per hour, retroactive to Sept. 6, 2025.

Ethics Officer Dwight Floyd presented the staff recommendation, saying the position’s duties have expanded well beyond clerical work to include training development, instructional design and substantial content production for the ethics office. Floyd told the board he reviewed local market listings and that local pay ranged from about $32 to $62 per hour; the board approved a mid‑range increase to retain the incumbent.

Floyd described specific investments in the employee’s professional development, including Toastmasters and prospective coursework at Florida State, and said the staff had coordinated the adjustment with the city’s personnel office. He said the upgrade formalizes responsibilities that the employee has been performing and will make the office more resilient if the incumbent leaves.

Board members discussed the proposed pay level and several members suggested $34 per hour rather than the originally requested $33. A board member explicitly moved to approve the reclassification and the $34 hourly rate; Chief Kelly made the motion and Adam Kamasar seconded. The motion carried by voice vote with all members present saying “aye.”

The approved action includes changing the position title to Ethics Training Coordinator, an incumbent pay adjustment to $34 per hour effective Sept. 6, 2025, and coordination with personnel to process the change as City policy requires. The board recorded no dissent.

Why this matters: The change formalizes an expanded training and curriculum role inside the ethics office, increases pay for the incumbent, and aims to reduce turnover risk by aligning title and compensation with job duties.