Committee recommends 2026 wage matrix, adjusts seasonal pay and paid-on-call rates

The Village of Ashwaubenon Finance and Personnel Committee on Aug. 19 recommended that the Village Board adopt proposed 2026 salary and wage grade metrics for non‑represented general employees and an updated seasonal/LTE wage matrix.

Joel, the village manager, said the package updates the village’s wage matrices based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics July-over-July cost-of-living increase of 2.7% (the committee previously discussed a 2.9% figure). He said the seasonal and LTE (limited-term employee) matrix was adjusted to that CPI figure and that, by practice, wages in the seasonal matrix are rounded to the nearest nickel for ease of administration. Joel also said the village will include paid-on-call firefighters and election inspectors in routine annual adjustments rather than making larger, infrequent increases.

Committee members discussed hiring challenges for certain seasonal and LTE positions. Joel noted the community service officer position — a temporary, part-time public safety role paid in the $16–$20 per hour range — remains difficult to fill despite being competitively priced with peer communities. The committee approved a motion recommending that the Village Board adopt the 2026 salary and LTE seasonal wage matrices as presented; the committee vote was recorded as in favor in the meeting audio but a roll-call tally is not included in the transcript.

Why it matters: The matrices set pay scales that affect all general non-represented employees and seasonal hires and will guide payroll and recruitment for 2026. Adjusting paid-on-call and election-inspector pay on a regular schedule could reduce the need for periodic large increases.