Committee forwards amendment to City of Garner nonunion pay schedule to full council

Members of a City of Garner committee voted Thursday to send an amendment to the city’s nonunion compensation schedule to the full City Council for consideration and possible approval. The committee discussion covered eligibility criteria, effective dates for step changes, titles that need updating to reflect a recent ordinance and several positions omitted from the draft.

The amendment, described in the meeting as Ordinance item 11539, was moved to the full council by Councilor Hickman and seconded by Councilor Mack; the motion carried. The measure would amend the city personnel nonunion compensation schedule and the committee discussed how the proposal would affect current employees and new hires.

Committee members said the amendment would allow managers to consider years of service in promotion decisions. One committee member said, “I really do like the promote the years of service at minimum year, 5 year service in prior positions to qualify. I think with 10 years max to be, awarded, I think this really allows for retainment within city hall and to encourage promotion within.” That speaker also urged flexibility in application and praised language that framed awards as discretionary rather than mandatory.

Members asked staff to clarify a provision in Section 6 that currently references a September 1, 2025, termination of step eligibility; one committee member said the fiscal year begins July 1 and suggested the effective date may need to change. The committee discussed moving the effective date to Oct. 1 as a possible alternative while staff said they would check the rationale and follow up: “I will look back at my notes to see why, and I'll get you an answer.”

The draft also contains outdated job titles and omits several positions that committee members said should be considered as “special employees.” One committee member asked that the youth director, which the committee described as a one-year pilot, and positions tied to the library and golf course be reviewed for inclusion. Members requested a manipulable spreadsheet version of the pay table for review rather than only a PDF.

Committee members acknowledged the amendment would supersede an earlier proposal from Councilor Burke because the new drafting contains more detail about the step scale. Councilor Brooks was given an opportunity to propose additional amendments before the item goes to the full council. The committee chair said further fixes and amendments would be prepared for the council packet.

No final pay rates or a full list of included positions were adopted by the committee; the committee’s action was limited to forwarding the amendment to the full council for consideration and possible approval. The committee discussion and follow-ups were procedural steps ahead of first printing and full council review.

The committee’s conversation included multiple clarifications about budget distinctions for enterprise-like functions such as the golf course and the library, which committee members said operate differently from the general fund and may affect how compensation changes are implemented.