Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel Compensation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
CRA reclassifies legal-advisor position to higher pay grade to attract experienced counsel; motion passes 4–2
Summary
Fort Myers CRA voted to reclassify the in-house legal-advisor position to pay grade 220 to recruit and retain experienced counsel; the CRA confirmed the position is funded exclusively by the CRA and uses city HR services for classification and processing.
The Fort Myers CRA approved reclassifying its legal-advisor position to pay grade 220 after staff said prior grade and pay prevented the agency from filling the role with experienced candidates.
Executive Director Hilton Terry explained the reclassification request was recommended after strategic planning work to recruit and retain experienced staff. Terry told commissioners the position has been difficult to fill at the previously approved grade and that the agency is asking to move the pay grade to 220. Terry provided an HR email in the packet explaining the prior classification and pay-band rationale.
Commissioner Burson moved to accept the pay-grade reclassification to grade 220; Commissioner Geraldo seconded. Commissioners discussed salary ranges presented by HR (staff referenced a prior mid-range figure of about $122,000 under the existing classification and that the recommended change would create a higher maximum salary in the new grade). Commissioner Burson said the CRA needs experienced legal representation and that a higher pay grade would help recruit seasoned attorneys rather than recent graduates.
The commission conducted a roll-call vote: Vice Chair Beauchez (No), Commissioner Geraldo (Yes), Commissioner Anderson (No), Commissioner Watson (Yes), Commissioner Berson (Yes), Chair Watkins Brown (Yes). The motion passed 4–2. Staff confirmed the position and its pay are funded exclusively by the CRA and that the CRA pays into city HR for HR services.
