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Monett council to advance footwear stipend and continue wage discussion for public works
Summary
The council discussed a $200 annual footwear stipend for field employees recommended by the Safety Committee and a public-works wage proposal that could cost about $155,000 annually without longevity pay; councilors asked to defer final votes to the regular meeting and to align short-term steps with a broader compensation study.
Monett — Councilors on Tuesday reviewed two personnel-focused proposals: a $200-per-year footwear stipend for field employees recommended by the city’s Safety Committee, and a proposed pay package for Public Works that includes new journey/operator classifications and longevity increments.
Staff described the stipend as a safety and retention measure for employees who wear out boots quickly; supervisors would retain discretion to ensure purchases meet safety expectations. The council agreed the stipend would be tax-free to employees and that it was straightforward to administer, and asked to place the policy on the next regular meeting agenda for action.
On wages, staff presented a Public Works plan with reclassification tiers and potential longevity pay (for example, 5% at 10 years and 10% at 20 years). Staff estimated an annual cost of about $155,000 to implement the proposed raises without the longevity component; councilors warned that adding longevity pay for only one department could create payroll and equity complications across departments. Council members supported a two-pronged approach: consider a short-term retention step now while completing a citywide compensation study to guide a fair, long-term solution.
The council did not take final votes at the work session but asked staff to present the personnel items for action at a future regular meeting and to align any short-term changes with the broader compensation-study timetable.
