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Newpay scales and public-safety step increases take effect; city proposes conservative FY2026 wage approach
Summary
Human Resources briefed council on completed public-safety step increases and the rollout of a new general pay plan; staff said the city implemented multi-million-dollar raises last year and proposes a 3% general wage increase for eligible non-sworn employees in FY2026.
Human Resources Director Allison DeChoso told the council on April 8 that the city implemented the public-safety step plan in November and has moved forward with a new broadband general pay plan for non-sworn employees.
“The public safety step plan has finally been implemented,” DeChoso said. She reported that more than 900 sworn employees received raises totaling $4,000,355, with an average increase of about 8.5% for impacted sworn officers.
Phase 2 of the compensation project, DeChoso said, moved roughly 2,000 non-sworn employees onto a broadband pay scale effective March 31. She said $2,055,000 in salary increases were implemented for non-sworn staff and that employees who had to be adjusted to new minimums received an average increase of 7.5%.
DeChoso described additional programs designed to address recruitment and retention, including a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) “breakthrough bonus” program and adjustments for the Commonwealth’s Attorney and Public Defender offices. She said the CDL initiative produced over 50 hires or referrals in its first year.
On the broader wage strategy, DeChoso said the city has delivered about 16% in adjustments over the last three years and that the FY2026 budget proposes a 3% general wage increase for eligible non-sworn employees. She cautioned council that uncertainties in federal funding and the economy require a conservative approach in future compensation decisions.
DeChoso said the city plans to continue working with employee steering committees and the council’s collective-bargaining task force as those bodies refine recommendations and identify bargaining topics.
Council did not take a formal vote on compensation at the work session; the presentation was provided to inform the FY2026 recommended operating budget process.
