Personal & Finance committee forwards multiple salary ordinances, ratifies firefighter increase and tables police pay

The Personal & Finance Committee forwarded several salary ordinances to the Committee of the Whole and recorded a ratified tentative agreement with the firefighters union.

Key outcomes: Teamsters (Bill 59‑25) — Council was told members will receive a 3% increase for 2025 per the Teamsters bargaining agreement and a $2,000 residency bonus for members who live within city limits. The committee voted to send Bill 59‑25 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation (roll call: Thomas Morgan—Aye; Dr. Davis—Aye; Vice Chair White—Aye; Chair Sheila Neskofsky—Aye).

Nonbargaining staff (substitute Bill 60‑25) — Kyle Willis, city controller, presented a substitute salary ordinance for nonbargaining employees that includes a 3% across‑the‑board increase and a $2,000 residency bonus. Willis reported three new positions were included and that staff would submit a corrected substitute to remove two duplicate listings (one senior staff accountant duplicate and one project manager in sustainability that director response said could be removed). The committee voted to forward the substitute to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation (4–0).

Mayor and elected officials (Bill 61‑25 and Bill 62‑25) — Bill 61‑25 authorizes a 3% increase to the mayor’s salary, raising it from $126,681 to $130,481 for 2026. Bill 62‑25 would set Common Council member pay with a 3% increase to a $23,298 cap for 2026; committee members clarified that full‑time staff titles appearing in the salary table (paralegal, executive admin assistant) are not budgeted for 2026 and will be cleaned up. Both bills were forwarded with favorable recommendations (4–0).

Clerk and other offices (Bills 63‑25, 64‑25) — The city clerk presented salary items for her office and staff; both bills were forwarded together to the Committee of the Whole with favorable recommendations (4–0).

Firefighters (substitute Bill 66‑25) — Kyle Willis reported a ratified tentative agreement for the firefighters: a 4% increase for 2026, increases to longevity tiers, and a $2,500 residency bonus for firefighters residing in city limits. Willis told the committee the agreement ratified that day covers a one‑year contract. The committee voted to forward the substitute firefighter salary ordinance with a favorable recommendation (4–0).

Police (Bill 68‑25) — The police salary ordinance was not ready for committee action; the committee voted to table Bill 68‑25 until Oct. 27 to allow ratification and final numbers to be provided.

Why it matters: These ordinances set wages and bonuses for municipal employees and elected officials and will shape payroll costs in the 2026 budget year. Committee members raised clerical and cleanup issues in the nonbargaining ordinance (duplicate positions and titles) and requested staff submit corrected substitute language before Committee of the Whole consideration.

Votes at a glance (committee roll calls): multiple bills were forwarded with favorable recommendation by unanimous committee roll calls (Thomas Morgan—Aye; Dr. Davis—Aye; Vice Chair White—Aye; Chair Sheila Neskofsky—Aye). The police salary ordinance (Bill 68‑25) was tabled until Oct. 27 (4–0).

Next steps: Substitute language and corrected salary tables will be submitted where noted; the ordinances will appear at the Committee of the Whole and subsequent readings. The police salary ordinance will return after ratification.