Council approves revised salary schedule, creates planning manager role and consolidates code enforcement position

The Rolling Hills City Council approved a revised salary schedule and modifications to job classifications that add a planning manager title and consolidate code‑enforcement functions into a code‑compliance officer/planning technician classification.

City staff presented a salary survey comparing nearby and comparable jurisdictions and recommended using median salaries with a 10% reduction at the bottom of the range for most classifications; the council also agreed to preserve the previously adopted ranges for two positions (administrative assistant and management analyst) so incumbents’ growth was not constrained. Staff said retaining competitiveness for planning leadership roles is essential, and that the planning manager classification is intended as a pathway to a future planning‑director role.

The personnel ad‑hoc group and staff recommended omitting larger jurisdictions (Carson and Hermosa Beach) from the comparison set and adding smaller, structurally similar cities such as Bradbury and Avalon when preparing the median ranges. The council voted to adopt the updated schedule, to proceed with recruitment for the planning manager and the consolidated code‑compliance officer/planning technician classification, and to change the city clerk title to “City Clerk/Assistant to the City Manager.”

The motion passed on a roll call: Council Member Mersch — yes; Council Member Black — no; Mayor Pro Tem Derringer — yes; Mayor Piper — yes. Staff said any future classification or range changes required by the city’s personnel handbook would return to council for authorization.