Committee advances creation of separate unrepresented unit for appointed officers; longevity pay to be decided by full council

The committee voted to forward to full City Council a proposal to create a separate unrepresented unit for appointed officers and to include a specific discussion of longevity pay when the item goes to council. Jennifer Wilkinson, administrative officer in the Human Resources Department, told the committee the separate unit would improve transparency by distinguishing council‑appointed officers from other unrepresented employees and would not automatically group officers for salary changes.

Council Member Kaplan pressed for a requirement that any salary decisions for appointed officers be considered individually by the full council rather than applied across the new unit. Wilkinson said the council would retain authority to set classifications and could vote on increases for individual positions, such as the treasurer, separately. Kaplan moved to send the item to council with instructions that longevity and salary items for appointed officers be considered separately; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

The HR presentation included a procedural question about the effective date if the council approves longevity pay; Wilkinson asked if the committee preferred the effective date to be the first pay period following council approval. Committee members asked that the council deliberation include clarity about whether appointed officers would be eligible for longevity and how any increases would be implemented.

Next steps: staff will incorporate the requested clarifying language on salary negotiation and longevity and place the item on the City Council agenda for final action.