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Committee backs 3% general wage increase for Hartford nonunion city employees, retroactive to January
Summary
The committee voted to send an ordinance amending Chapter 2 (Section 350) to provide a 3% general wage increase for nonunion city employees, effective January 2025 with a retroactive lump-sum component. City officials estimated the annualized general‑fund cost at about $330,000 and total current‑year impact of roughly $235,000 across funds.
The Operations Management Budget and Government Accountability Committee voted Feb. 18 to forward to the full Hartford Common Council an ordinance that would provide a 3% general wage increase for the city's nonunion employees, effective January 2025 and including retroactive pay, with a favorable recommendation.
Director Frank, who presented the proposal, said the increase would affect approximately 139 full‑time nonunion employees and that the change would be effective Jan. 2025, creating a retroactive component. "This ordinance would provide a general wage increase of 3% to the city's non union employees," Director Frank said. He said annualized costs are about $330,000 to the general fund and about $76,000 to non‑general fund accounts; part‑time employees affected would add roughly $62,000 annualized. Director Frank said the projected impact on the current year, inclusive of general fund, non‑general fund and part‑time costs, is about $235,000.
Frank summarized recent wage‑increase history: a 2% increase in January 2023, a 1.5% increase in 2021, and an earlier 2% increase that took effect for some employees between July 2019 and July 2020. Council members asked about the number of part‑time employees covered and about the timing of retroactive payments. Frank said he did not have a headcount for part‑time employees at the meeting but reiterated the $62,000 annualized part‑time cost estimate. He said, "a retroactive payment would be in a lump sum, and then the adjustments would be obviously made going forward," and estimated it would likely be executed within one or two pay periods.
Councilwoman Molly Rosato moved to send the ordinance to the full council with a favorable recommendation. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote; committee members recorded their assent and the item will appear on the council agenda for final action.
The committee also confirmed that, if approved by the Common Council, the mayor's recommended budget would incorporate the adopted increase in next year's budget planning. Director Frank told members that payroll adjustments required to deliver retroactive pay could be processed quickly once council approval and administrative steps were completed.
The vote advances a measure that affects roughly 139 full‑time nonunion employees and a smaller group of part‑time staff; final costs will depend on payroll calculations and how many part‑time positions are in scope.
