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City implements public-safety step plan and general pay-scale changes for FY 2026 implementation
Summary
Human Resources Director Allison DeChoso briefed the council on recently implemented pay changes: a public-safety step plan affecting over 900 sworn employees and a phase-two general employee pay plan that moved 2,000 non-sworn employees to a broadband structure.
Allison DeChoso, Director of Human Resources for the City of Newport News, told the council on April 8 that the city has implemented two major compensation initiatives affecting sworn and non-sworn employees.
DeChoso said the public-safety step plan went into effect in November and "over 900 sworn employees were impacted, dollars 4,355,000 in salary increases were implemented, and the average increase to sworn officers who received, an additional amount of money was 8.5%." The change affected police, fire and sheriff personnel.
The nut graf: DeChoso said phase two of the compensation project moved roughly 2,000 non-sworn employees onto a new broadband pay scale, used market-based pricing and added targeted programs to fill critical needs.
On the general pay plan, DeChoso said the broadband structure went into effect March 31 and "dollars 2,055,000 in salary increases have been implemented, and for those employees that had to be adjusted to the new the new minimums of the new structure, the average increase was 7.5%." She also said the city has implemented a multi-year wage program totaling 16% in adjustments over three years and proposed a 3% general wage increase for eligible non-sworn employees in the upcoming year.
DeChoso described new recruitment and retention tools, including a "breakthrough bonus program" for commercial driver's-license holders. She said more than 50 employees were hired or referred under the bonus program in its first year.
Council members asked about the potential budget impact of collective bargaining and vacancies. DeChoso said the council will receive the collective-bargaining task force's input later this year, and she cautioned that bargaining could increase administrative costs and contract obligations; staff will approach compensation decisions conservatively amid federal and economic uncertainty.
Less critical details: DeChoso said the city made targeted pay adjustments for the Commonwealth's Attorney and Public Defender's offices and invited follow-up on vacancy specifics during budget discussions.
