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Council approves 1.8% cost‑of‑living increase for city staff, adds assistant‑to‑the‑city‑manager classification
Summary
The council approved a 1.8% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for most city classifications for FY 2025–26, added an "assistant to the city manager" classification and deleted the assistant city manager title; council also approved hiring additions described in the proposed budget.
The Ojai City Council unanimously approved on June 24 a 1.8% cost‑of‑living adjustment for most city employee classifications for fiscal year 2025–26 and adopted a revised salary schedule that adds an "assistant to the city manager" classification while removing the assistant city manager classification.
Why it matters: Council and staff said the adjustment helps the city keep compensation competitive and retain staff; the new classification is intended as a management‑level position tailored to the city’s smaller, leaner organizational structure rather than the more senior assistant‑city‑manager role that typically exists in larger jurisdictions.
Details and implementation: The city manager classification and elected officials were excluded from the COLA (the manager’s recent contract adjustment was cited). Council also approved an increase of 1.5 full time equivalent maintenance worker positions (one full time in public works and one half‑time in recreation) funded by Measure C, as reflected in the budget. The council asked staff to return with a more detailed analysis if the council wished to consider a different COLA percentage (some public commenters suggested 2.5% tied to Social Security increases). The council also discussed using a professional recruitment process for the new assistant‑to‑the‑city‑manager role.
Vote: The motion to amend the salary schedule and adopt the 1.8% COLA passed unanimously on roll call.
Ending: Staff will implement the amended salary schedule effective July 7 and include the changes in payroll. Council requested additional analysis on pension and benefit funding strategy and asked staff to return with options for long‑term pension liability management.
