Clovis commission approves citywide pay raises, wastewater study contract and multiple agreements; several grant applications authorized

The Clovis City Commission on Sept. 11 approved a series of personnel, consulting and grant actions, including a $1‑per‑hour across‑the‑board pay increase for city employees, a scope and fee agreement with CDM Smith for a wastewater rate study and capital improvement plan, renewal of a retail consulting contract and participation in a new national opioid manufacturers settlement agreement.

The pay increase will raise every city employee’s hourly wage by $1 and lift starting wages by $1, bringing the city minimum to $14.50 an hour. City Manager Justin Hovalt told the commission the change is intended to improve competitiveness ahead of a full compensation study and cushion the city against future increases in the state minimum wage. Hovalt estimated the fiscal impact for the current year at roughly $1,273,000, with about $1 million from the general fund and the remainder spread across sanitation, wastewater, airport and HR/safety funds. The raises take effect Sept. 14 and will appear in employee paychecks beginning Oct. 3.

The commission also approved a professional services agreement with CDM Smith to complete a wastewater rate study and capital improvement plan. Hovalt said the fee is about $55,000 (approximately $58,000 including gross receipts tax) and that the work will be paid from wastewater fund reserves (Fund 10). The study will review the city’s asset management plan and model rates and capital needs across the wastewater system, which…