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Grundy Center council asks clerk to model 3%–5% wage increases after wage survey review
Summary
At a Jan. 15 work session, the Grundy Center City Council reviewed a 27-city wage survey and asked City Clerk Kristy Sawyer to model 3%–5% across-the-board pay increases for the FY2026 budget; council took no formal action.
Mayor Paul Eberline and the Grundy Center City Council reviewed city wage data and directed staff to model several pay-increase scenarios for the coming fiscal year.
City Clerk Kristy Sawyer presented three documents during the Jan. 15 work session: a wage survey of 27 cities with populations ranging from about 700 to 5,100 residents, a schedule showing current hourly rates alongside several percentage and dollar-increase options, and reports of total salary expenditures across city funds. The council heard a visitor’s assessment that public works wages are roughly in line with the survey average.
Visitor Dan Bangasser, listed among attendees, told the council the public works department’s wages are comparable to the survey averages and said the department likely could only absorb a cost-of-living adjustment because utility rates are expected to rise by about 2% each July. He also urged the council to consider increasing the current $0.14-per-hour increment for additional licensing or certifications to better incentivize staff to pursue credentials.
Council member Rasmussen raised whether to restore a longevity increase previously given to some departments. Members noted that many city employees have long tenure and that restoring longevity on top of an across-the-board percentage increase would substantially raise payroll costs; the council concluded it likely couldn’t afford both and did not adopt any pay changes at the meeting.
Mayor Eberline asked the council to look specifically at City Clerk and Deputy Clerk wages, which Sawyer indicated are on the low end of the survey range. With Sawyer briefly leaving the room, council members asked her on her return to calculate budget scenarios showing 3%–5% increases across all departments for further discussion at a future meeting.
No formal wage or budget action was taken during the work session. The council adjourned at 7:30 p.m. on a motion from Council member Rasmussen, seconded by Council member Lamp; the motion carried with five ayes. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
