Council approves first reading of 2026 salary ordinance, citing pay-study results

At the City of Aberdeen meeting, staff introduced the annual salary-and-wage ordinance required under SDCL 19-14-28. City staff said the ordinance sets wages for 2026 and was presented at the dais with a chart of employees and proposed hourly/salaried rates.

City staff explained the pay package consists of a two-and-a-half-step increase for applicable positions plus a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment; combined, staff described this as roughly a 6% increase for each position except police and fire, which are excluded from the general grid adjustment. HR director Kristen Kroll was present but had no additional comments during the presentation.

Council members asked whether overtime rules or typical work-week assumptions would change; staff replied standard classifications remain (40-hour framework for most positions; 24-hour shifts in the fire department) and overtime would continue to be calculated as specified in pay policies. One council member asked whether the adjustment accounted for an earlier pay-study (the "Condor" study); staff said the Condor study is intended to set step timing every other year and that the current package aligns with that approach.

The council moved and approved the ordinance on a recorded vote. Staff stated the ordinance is to be effective for payroll on or after Jan. 1, 2026; council did not change the staff recommendation during the meeting.

The action obliges HR and Finance to implement the pay adjustments in the next payroll cycle and to ensure payroll is aligned with the effective date described in the ordinance.