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Council hears first reading on salary changes for water and sewer operator positions
Summary
An ordinance introduced on first reading would widen the maximum pay ranges for several water and sewer positions; City utility officials said the changes reflect market pressures for licensed operators and that only a few current employees would be affected.
The Madison City Common Council heard a first reading Tuesday of Ordinance No. 2025-2, which would amend the city’s salary ordinance to widen the maximum pay ranges for several water and sewer positions.
Mindy (city staff) told the council the ordinance corrects an omission from the budget process and raises the maximum hourly rates for certain licensed water and sewer positions because market pay for staff who decline benefits is higher. “I missed it during the budget process and forgot to add it to the salary ordinance,” she said. She said the change primarily affects licensed supervisory positions and that most long-tenured employees are already at the maximum of their ranges.
Brian Jackson, Madison’s utility superintendent, explained the practical need: licensed operators are difficult to hire and retain, and one wastewater superintendent is already a higher license class and being paid above the prior maximum because she does not take the insurance benefits. Jackson said the proposed increases are intended to keep those employees within the established ranges.
Council members asked which positions would change; Mindy and Jackson said the larger increases are targeted to two licensed supervisor positions and one wastewater superintendent, while other positions receive modest increases. Jackson said meter reader and maintenance positions would not receive the change.
No final vote on the ordinance was recorded at the meeting; the item was introduced and debated on first reading.
