Council approves pay‑grade changes and directs HR to reexamine senior‑center classifications

The Phoenix City Council approved changes to the city’s combined classification and pay ordinance on Feb. 18 but also agreed to a council amendment directing staff to reexamine two senior‑center classifications after employees urged higher pay grades.

Tyler Smith, a senior program supervisor who said he represents 15 supervisors, told the council senior program supervisors manage budgets, supervise volunteers, provide case management and oversee meals and dementia‑friendly services. "These are not small responsibilities," Tyler Smith said. He and colleagues opposed the recommended pay grade and asked the council to consider aligning the role with comparable classifications such as recreation coordinators.

Council members asked how reclassification works and whether incumbents automatically move into newly assigned grades. HR staff explained regrades are attached to classifications and incumbents in those classifications move automatically; the change in this case equates to approximately a 2–2.5% increase for affected employees. Councilwoman O’Brien successfully secured a friendly amendment: approve the increases now so eligible employees receive immediate adjustments while directing Class & Comp and HR to reexamine the two specific classifications and return with findings through the Human Resources Committee.

Why it matters: Council action provides immediate pay increases for certain classifications while creating a staff pathway to revisit classification alignment and pay equity for senior‑center staff. Multiple council members emphasized looking at total compensation and internal equity when evaluating reclassifications.

What happens next: HR/classification staff will consult with labor units, review market data and internal alignment, and report back to the Human Resources Committee and council if further adjustments are warranted.

— Reporting from Phoenix City Council proceedings.