Elyria committee adopts 2025 compensation study; implementation set for first pay period of 2026

The joint Finance Committee voted Oct. 27 to accept the City of Elyria 2025 compensation study and to authorize implementing recommended pay‑scale changes beginning with the first pay period of 2026.

HR Director Youssef told the committee the city had not undertaken a market‑based salary study in roughly five to six years and that objective market data was needed to make defensible, transparent pay decisions. “The study and these recommendations are really to be used as a roadmap for our future moving forward,” Youssef said, adding that the study is intended to align position grades to the market rather than to produce automatic across‑the‑board raises.

Finance Director Pulaski provided an estimated fiscal impact for 2026, including pension and benefits, at $504,902. He said the general fund portion was approximately $181,009.80. Pulaski provided a further breakdown by fund in committee: roughly $115,006.46 from the water fund, $113,789 from wastewater pollution control, $54,991 from sanitation, and smaller amounts from block grant, stormwater and street construction funds.

Members and staff discussed effective dates and implementation mechanics. The committee and staff agreed the recommended effective date would be the first pay period of 2026 (the committee clarified pay‑period timing and reporting and asked that the implementation avoid retroactive pay obligations). The Law Director noted that if the committee moves forward staff needs an effective date to prepare legislation; Pulaski confirmed the timing would allow inclusion in the 2026 appropriation process.

The committee also discussed a one‑time placement adjustment for the current fire chief to align his placement with the police chief for the remaining months of his service; staff explained future chiefs would be placed on the same pay grade with appropriate step placement based on experience.

A motion to accept the compensation study and authorize the ordinance to implement the changes beginning with the first pay period of 2026 passed by voice vote. The committee directed staff to prepare implementing legislation and to include fund appropriations for the projected 2026 costs in the upcoming budget process.