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Commission votes 4-1 to move city administrator into grade-and-step pay system at 26F; contract discussions to follow
Summary
The commission voted 4-1 to place the city administrator into the grade-and-step system at grade 26, step F (recommended by HR), aligning the administrator’s pay progression with other employees; commissioners asked HR to return with contract options and evaluation language.
The West Fargo City Commission on Feb. 3 voted 4-1 to place the city administrator back into the city's grade-and-step pay system at Grade 26, Step F, and asked human resources to return with recommendations regarding an employment contract and evaluation process.
Commissioner Olsen made the motion to bring the city administrator back into the pay scale; Commissioner Zundell seconded. The motion to place the administrator at Grade 26, Step F (the HR recommendation) passed on a 4-1 voice vote.
Sarah Gosevic, human resources director, told the commission the city administrator position regraded to Grade 26 and that the closest matching step at the administrator’s current salary would be 26F, which she said equates to about $213,532. "We first have to decide which grade, as well as what step would be appropriate for that," Gosevic said, describing Grade 25 and Grade 26 as the two top grades. She recommended Grade 26 and explained that moving the administrator into the system would make the position subject to the same step progression and evaluation process used for other employees.
Commissioners discussed whether the administrator should also have an employment contract. Several commissioners said a contract outlining evaluation criteria, expectations, severance and separation terms would be appropriate. Gosevic said no employment contract is currently in place and that the evaluation system recently launched includes the administrator; she recommended returning to the commission with contract language if the commission desired.
Commissioner Jorgensen asked whether employees can be moved more than one step on merit; Gosevic said nothing in current policies prevents larger step adjustments but that budget considerations govern such moves. The commission did not adopt a contract that evening; commissioners asked HR to present contract options and evaluation language at a future meeting (requested for early March).
The HR director's estimate for a straight placement into the grade-and-step system was 26F, approximately $213,532; any subsequent merit steps would follow the city's evaluation and budget processes.
