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Council reviews wage-study results, proposed hires and utility/cemetery studies
Summary
Staff presented a completed market wage study and asked council for direction on an assumed 3% ongoing pay increase (with some positions needing larger adjustments). Council also reviewed proposed operational hires and ongoing water and cemetery fund studies.
City staff updated council on a recently completed wage study and a set of personnel and service proposals tied to the tentative budget.
David (staff member) said the council had placed a placeholder in the budget for a 3% staff wage increase while an outside market study was completed; the study is now finished and indicates a handful of positions need increases above 3% to meet market. David asked council to provide policy direction on where the city wants to sit relative to market (e.g., median pay vs. higher target). "If this is 3% ongoing and then there's a 1-time performance at all or just this?" one council member asked; David replied the budget currently contains only the 3% ongoing placeholder.
Separately, staff confirmed three staffing requests that remain in the tentative budget after individual council meetings: a cemetery/building position, a position split between public improvements and water (meter reading/PI tasks), and two part-time storm-drain positions. Staff noted the storm-drain work might be cheaper to contract than to buy equipment and hire part time employees.
Staff also said a water-rate study is underway with LRB (water-rate consultant) and that the cemetery fund is being reviewed with Zions Bank Public Finance; the cemetery study could affect proposed fee changes and the Veteran's Area wall project. Council members discussed whether some salary decisions or individual personnel matters should be discussed in closed session if they relate to professional competency or specific individuals; staff clarified that some wage adjustments will require public hearings under a new state law when they affect certain pay bands.
Chris (project staff) also gave a project update: the park-maintenance building has experienced contractor issues and change orders; staff tentatively expected completion in May but noted uncertainty. The mayor and other council members invited colleagues to a Thursday 8:30 a.m. site tour of several public-works projects.
Ending: Staff will send final market-study numbers, correct minor data errors discovered during review, schedule required public hearings for wage changes that trigger notice rules, and return with refined proposals for new positions and water/cemetery-rate recommendations before the final budget vote.
