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El Mirage council approves multiple budgeted contracts, compensation study and clerk code update
Summary
At its July 1 meeting the El Mirage Common Council approved several consent and regular-agenda items including a code amendment affecting the city clerk/treasurer role, a $30,000 compensation study contract, public-works vendor authorizations and a three-month landscaping extension totaling $94,494.42.
The El Mirage Common Council on July 1 approved a package of budgeted contracts and an ordinance clarifying the city clerk's duties while authorizing a third-party compensation study and several public-works contracts.
Council adopted an ordinance amending city code related to the city clerk and ex officio treasurer role (Ordinance No. 205-707) after debate over whether the code should explicitly delegate treasurer duties to the finance director. Councilmember Ryan Dorsey moved the ordinance, Councilmember Winston seconded, and the motion carried with one recorded nay.
Council also approved a professional services agreement with Public Sector Personnel Consultants for a citywide compensation study not to exceed $30,000. Staff said the consultant will analyze pay structures, benefits and comparator cities, and present recommended salary ranges and fiscal impact estimates for inclusion in the 2026–27 budget process. The motion to enter the agreement was made by Councilmember Dorsey and seconded by Mayor Harmacio; the motion carried with one recorded nay.
Separately the council authorized the city manager to enter into budgeted goods-and-services contracts for public works to allow continued operations in fiscal year 2025–26. The item—moved by Vice Mayor Parsons and seconded by Councilmember Winston—was approved with one recorded nay.
The council also approved a three-month extension of landscape maintenance services for city facilities, parks and right-of-way with BrightView Landscape Services from July through September 2025 for $94,494.42. Staff explained the extension was needed because new RFP responses exceeded preliminary budgets; procurement will be restructured to seek more budget-friendly bids. The BrightView extension was approved after discussion about contractor staffing levels, hours of service and the city’s long-term procurement plan.
Members debated the minutes for recent work sessions and whether meeting minutes should include more verbatim council deliberations. Councilmember Gentry asked to table approval of work-session minutes to include more dialogue in the record; other members opposed, saying work sessions are intended for candid discussion and are recorded. The motion to approve the minutes was made by Mayor Harmacio, seconded by Councilmember Dorsey, and carried following debate.
City staff said follow-up information will be provided to council on questions raised during debate, including the source language in state statute cited in the clerk/treasurer discussion.
Why it matters: The items affect day-to-day city operations and personnel policy and set short-term spending commitments. The compensation study, in particular, will inform future budget choices affecting payroll and benefits.
Key votes and next steps: The ordinance updating clerk/treasurer language will be implemented after the city updates its handbook to conform with the code changes. The compensation-study consultant will present findings to council and those recommendations would be considered as part of the FY 2026–27 budget process. Procurement staff will reissue or restructure the landscaping RFP to try to meet budget targets for longer-term contracts.
