Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel Compensation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parma council approves law‑department title and salary‑range changes after debate
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 197‑25 to reclassify a Fair Housing Administrator to Assistant Law Director and to adjust salary ranges for that position and the victim's advocate. Members questioned whether the measure sets a salary or only a range and how it interacts with upcoming CBA raises.
Parma City Council on Nov. 17 adopted Ordinance 197‑25 to change the title and salary ranges for two positions within the law department, prompting extended questions about compensation mechanics and market recruitment.
Council members queried why the Fair Housing Administrator title was being changed if the incumbent does not perform fair‑housing duties. An administration representative explained the ordinance moves the title because "the lawyer that is currently filling that slot is not doing fair housing administration work," and the change aligns the title and range with the duties performed.
Councilwoman (Spkr 2) asked whether the position had already received the CBA‑negotiated 3% increase earlier in the year and whether the new range would stack with upcoming across‑the‑board adjustments. She said, "I'm not comfortable voting on this... my vote will be no," explaining concern that an increase up the range combined with a scheduled 3% would effectively raise the incumbent's pay beyond expectations.
Administration and the chair explained the ordinance sets a salary range — a minimum and maximum — rather than dictating an exact salary. An administration speaker noted the range was expanded with a low of roughly $47,000 and a high near $112,000, allowing the law director flexibility when hiring while acknowledging long‑tenured positions are close to the top of their ranges.
After debate, council adopted the ordinance by roll call. The administration said the change reflects recruitment realities for licensed attorneys and aims to align pay with the market so the city can retain and hire qualified lawyers.
What’s next: The law department will apply the adopted Schedule A ranges when hiring or setting step placements for the positions named in the ordinance; council may revisit details if budget or bargaining adjustments require further changes.
