Council approves annual salary schedule amid public concern over management pay

The El Cerrito City Council on June 16 approved the annual full‑time salary schedule that reflects negotiated cost‑of‑living adjustments, an internal alignment for a facilities and maintenance manager classification, a new Library Environmental Services Manager salary grade (no additional FTE), and a previously approved 5% merit increase for the city manager.

Human Resources Manager Shannon Bassi told the council the salary schedule is an annual transparency item that reflects authorized salaries already approved in labor agreements and contracts and is posted publicly to comply with state reporting and CalPERS rules. "As a reminder, the salary schedule lives online and it can be amended from time to time depending on the outcome of negotiations," Bassi said.

Public commenters urged the council to delay or reject the schedule changes while the city contends with tight reserves and service cuts. Ira Chernow and other residents urged management accountability; one commenter asked that the council "reject these increases" and said approving them during a constrained budget felt inappropriate.

Councilmembers split on whether to delay the item for more public discussion. Several members noted that some items in the schedule correspond to previously negotiated agreements and classification studies intended to keep the city competitive in recruitment and retention. After public comment the council approved the schedule on a roll call vote. The item does not add headcount; staff said the new library classification simply establishes a grade range for an existing operational need.

Next steps: staff will post the updated salary schedule and proceed with classifications and any bargaining outcomes affecting the posted table.