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Council advances revised classification and pay plan after debate over timing and KPAC staffing
Summary
Bill 11072, a revised City of Kirkwood classification and pay plan, passed first reading on March 20 after council debate. A motion to continue the item failed and council members questioned the process, staffing transitions and short notice; staff said earlier approval was needed to avoid operational gaps and would save approximately $21,000.
The Kirkwood City Council advanced a revised classification and pay plan (Bill 11072) to second reading after a contentious first-reading debate on March 20.
Council member Jackson moved to continue the ordinance to the April 3 meeting; the motion required a majority of those present but ultimately failed. Chief Administrative Officer Russ Hawes and staff urged the council to act promptly, saying delaying adoption would create an operational gap in the parks/recreation and KPAC functions because an employee has already accepted reassignment effective April 1. Hawes said implementing the change now preserves continuity and that the city would otherwise need to post, interview and hire — a process that could take months.
Council members who opposed immediate approval raised concerns about notice and the timing of the request late in the fiscal-year process. Council member Schaeffer said she wanted additional time and clearer documentation, and one council member said they would abstain from the vote because they preferred a fuller work session discussion. The CAO and staff said the change reduces costs compared with the alternative and estimated roughly $21,000 in annual savings from the internal reclassification and reassignment.
After discussion the motion to continue failed and the ordinance passed first reading; it will return for a second reading where the council may amend the plan before final adoption. Staff said if the ordinance is adopted the necessary budget amendments will be made and Human Resources and Parks & Recreation will handle the staffing changes. The council asked staff for detailed follow-up at the next meeting and signaled interest in an in-person work session to review the proposal further before second reading.
