Council reviews market pay study; staff estimates $1.022 million package for COLA, merit and market moves

Danielle presented the results of a citywide market review and asked the council how it wanted to proceed with proposed pay-range adjustments. She explained the approach: apply a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and merit increases to base wages, then compare the adjusted base to a market-derived pay range and apply market adjustments for employees who fall short.

Danielle said 105 employees would receive a market increase under the proposed adjustment set and that the combined cost for COLA, merit and market adjustments is currently estimated at about $1.022 million (her figures include employer-related expenses). She confirmed the COLA presented to council was 2.9 percent and that not all pay-range changes will translate into identical individual pay increases because some employees are red-circled or at top steps.

Council members asked for a more granular, department-level breakdown of who would receive increases and how many employees were affected in each department; Danielle said she would provide and email those counts. Members also questioned the choice of comparator municipalities and whether the sample set should be refined. The council discussed implications for base pay (which affects retirement and payroll taxes) and for part-time employees; Danielle explained how pay ranges map to hourly rates.

The council took no formal vote during the work session. Staff said proposed budget changes and additional staffing to address audit findings will be discussed in the upcoming budget process and that more detailed compensation data will be provided on request.