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Council authorizes one-time longevity catch-up payments totaling $5,000
Summary
The council approved a one-time milestone "catch-up" payment totaling $5,000 to correct unintended effects from a recent longevity pay policy change; the motion carried 5-0.
The Twentynine Palms City Council unanimously authorized a one-time milestone catch-up payment to five employees after staff and the budget committee identified unintended consequences from a revised longevity-pay policy.
City staff described the change as intended to ensure compliance with CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System) rules and to make the program more financially sustainable long-term. Staff said the revised policy, which took effect July 1, created confusion for a small number of long-tenured employees who had expected legacy benefits. To address those concerns, the council authorized a one-time payment to five eligible employees; the total cost to the city was presented as $5,000.
A councilmember moved and a second was recorded; a roll-call vote followed with councilmembers Ramirez, Scott, Wright, Mayor Pro Tem Mintz and Mayor Bilderink voting "aye." Staff said the payment is a one-time exception and the policy will not be repeated.
Why it matters: the action resolves a discrete personnel-pay issue identified during an administrative policy update and is intended to bring the affected employees into compliance with CalPERS accounting while limiting long-term fiscal exposure.
