Board of Works approves salary change to move Franklin Guzman into assistant IT role

The Board of Works approved a salary and position change to move Franklin Guzman into an assistant information-technology role, with an hourly rate change discussed in the meeting and an effective date given as Aug. 30, 2025.

Chris Ramsey, the department head, told the board that the city's most seasoned IT assistant, Brad, "left the city," and that Guzman had worked two summers for the department and has completed coursework at "Unified" in computer information systems. Ramsey said the city plans to "ramp him up" over the first year rather than immediately equate his experience with the prior incumbent. "He's an easy young man to work with," Ramsey said, noting the candidate's familiarity with city work from prior summers.

The Chair introduced the request and read the proposed salary change, citing that Guzman had been paid $12.35 per hour as a part-time worker and that the IT assistant rate under consideration was $19 per hour, with the change to take effect Aug. 30, 2025. The board recorded a motion to approve the salary/position change (noted in the record as "Councilman Dahl makes a motion" and "Councilwoman Nash seconds") and voted in favor.

Board members and Ramsey emphasized that Guzman is not expected to match the experience level of the departed employee immediately, and that the department will supervise and expand his responsibilities gradually. Questions from the board focused on the candidate's education and experience; Ramsey said Guzman completed a relevant program and had been a reliable summer helper.

The meeting record shows the motion passed with an affirmative vote; no abstentions or recorded no votes were noted in the transcript excerpt. The board did not record additional conditions beyond the announced effective date and the department's plan to provide on-the-job ramp-up and oversight.