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JFAC accepts CEC report recommending targeted salary increases, trooper pay boost
Summary
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee accepted the Change in Employee Compensation (CEC) committee report, which recommended adjustments to state pay schedules, targeted increases for troopers, IT and nursing positions, and a general per-FTE pay allocation.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee accepted a report from the Change in Employee Compensation (CEC) committee that recommends a series of pay-schedule adjustments and targeted raises for state employees.
Senator Dan Forman, co-chair of the CEC committee, told JFAC the panel recommends shifting the primary compensation schedule up by an average of 3.2 percent, with a statutory exception that pay grade D minimum remain $7.25 an hour. The committee recommended specialized compensation schedule adjustments averaging 3.2 percent for public safety classifications, 3.0 percent for information technology and engineering, and 3.5 percent for nursing and health care.
On salary increases, the CEC recommended the legislature fund a $1.55-per-hour increase per full-time position (FTE) with flexibility for agency heads and institution presidents to distribute those funds as they see fit. For Idaho State Police troopers (pay grade L), the committee recommended funding a targeted increase to meet, but not exceed, an 8 percent raise to improve recruitment and retention. The CEC also recommended a 4.5 percent increase for employees on the IT and engineering salary schedule and for nursing/health-care positions the larger of $1.55 per hour or 3 percent.
Representative James Holsclaw, who spoke after the report, thanked legislative staff for their work. Senator Ward Engelking voiced concern that the recommended structure would leave many employees who earn about $64,000 per year without a 5 percent raise, saying Idaho is experiencing high vacancy and turnover and that some classifications are 25 percent below market.
The committee accepted the CEC report by unanimous consent. JFAC members noted that acceptance of the report at this stage does not finalize appropriations; members will have opportunities during the coming budget hearings to weigh funding decisions for the recommended adjustments.
Why it matters: The CEC recommendations form the basis for proposed changes to pay and benefits that agencies will seek in appropriation bills. Targeted increases for public safety and health occupations were presented as responses to staffing and retention problems.
What happens next: JFAC will consider the CEC recommendations as part of program maintenance and enhancement bills during budget hearings next week.
