Gardiner finance committee debates large step raises, accepts substituted ordinance amendment for council review

Councilors at the Gardiner City Council Finance Committee on Aug. 27 discussed a proposed amendment to Ordinance 11539 to replace the city's nonunion compensation schedule, focusing on step-based raises, inclusion of omitted positions and timing of effective dates. The mayor presented a grid that moves many positions to a four-step, service-based scale; councilors raised concerns about large percentage increases and the timing and source of budget authority. Councilor Paul Brooks offered a detailed amendment-by-substitution to trim year-one cost, group positions by role and oversight needs, and add procedures to grant credit for prior service. After discussion the substitution was offered and there was no objection; committee members said the revised language will be finalized and referred to the full council for further review. The committee heard that the mayor's draft reorganizes the nonunion pay chart to mirror the union step structure used in collective bargaining and folds some stipends (for example clothing…