Finance committee approves new DPW laborer wage scale to boost recruitment
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Summary
Facing a hiring shortage, finance committee approved a stepped wage scale for DPW laborers raising the starting hourly rate and creating a progression over 48 months; current employees will be adjusted to the new schedule.
The finance committee approved a proposed wage scale for Department of Public Works laborers designed to improve recruitment and retention. Committee members said they had received no applications for an open laborer position and supported an updated starting wage and step progression.
The adopted plan establishes a starting hourly rate (documented in committee materials) with scheduled increases over a four-year progression that tops out at approximately $29.04 per hour. Committee members also approved an amendment to apply the new schedule to current employees so existing staff receive the benefit of the revised progression.
Committee discussion compared the new scale to the county and neighboring municipalities. Members acknowledged the top rate would only modestly increase long-tenured employees’ pay but said the starting rate and step structure improve the city’s competitiveness in recruiting applicants.
Next steps: staff will implement the new wage schedule, adjust payroll for current employees as directed, and post the vacancy with the updated compensation.
