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Council reviews salary study proposing $14 minimum wage, delays vote to allow employee review
Summary
A city human-resources presenter summarized a contracted salary study covering about 350 employees that recommends a new pay scale (proposed minimum $14/hour), a new classification plan and phased adjustments; council members asked for more time and postponed a final vote to allow department heads and employees to review placement data.
A human-resources representative identified in the meeting as Kristen presented a contracted 2025 salary study and recommended adopting a new pay scale and classification plan to address recruitment and retention problems.
Kristen said the study reviewed roughly 350 employees and found about 70% of positions misaligned with market pay; 88 positions were below market entry pay. The city’s current minimum pay rate was reported as $12.44 per hour; the new pay scale in the proposal sets a new minimum of $14 per hour. The presenter recommended a two-phase implementation that would place employees on the revised scale without any pay cuts and pause some midpoint adjustments until a later date (October) to ease budgetary impact.
On turnover and vacancies the presenter said, “In 2025 our turnover rate was over 28%,” and reported a current vacancy rate of about 8%. For the general fund the presenter said the current salary budget is about $11.7 million and that the proposed new salaries total roughly $11.8 million, producing an $8,000 shortfall in the general fund estimates; the presenter noted enterprise funds vary by fund and can use reserves to manage increases.
Council members asked for details on implementation timing and costs. The presenter said an effective date could be set for the first pay period in May if the council approved the plan in time and administrative entry tasks were completed. Several council members, citing the complexity and prior implementation issues, urged giving employees and department heads additional time—suggesting a two-week window—for review and questions. One council member said they preferred to delay a vote to avoid problems that can surface only after a plan takes effect.
Council did not adopt the pay scale tonight. The item was placed for further consideration and will return to a future meeting for a formal vote after staff answers outstanding department-level questions and finalizes placement details.
Ending: The council left the salary study on the agenda for follow-up; the presenter said administrative steps could allow an early-May effective date if the council approves the plan prior to the pay period.
