Commission moves city administrator into grade/step schedule at 26F, will consider contract later

The West Fargo City Commission voted 4‑1 to move the city administrator back into the city's grade‑and‑step pay system at Grade 26, Step F, after a staff recommendation and extended commissioner discussion about compensation, evaluation and the possible need for an employment contract.

Sarah Gosevic, human resources director, said the administrator position regrades to Grade 26 and that the closest salary placement at the administrator's current pay would be 26F. "If we were just to move him straight back into the closest step and grade, we would be looking at a 26 F, which comes out to about $213,532," Gosevic said.

Commissioners debated whether the position should instead be covered by an employment contract; several said a contract could specify evaluation procedures and separation/severance terms while still allowing the commission to tie pay to the grade/step system. Commissioner Zundell moved to place the city administrator back into the step program at 26F; Commissioner Olsen seconded. The motion carried on a 4‑1 vote.

The commission asked HR to return at a future meeting (likely in March) with research and draft language on the option of an employment contract and severance provisions. Gosevic also noted that there is no current employment contract for the city administrator and that performance evaluation processes had just been launched and would include the administrator going forward.