Council approves telecommunicator grade reclassification after discussion of pay, staffing and union role

The Rock Island City Council approved a human resources recommendation to reclassify the telecommunicator position and implement corresponding wage increases following council questions about compensation, staffing and comparisons with neighboring employers.

Robert (city staff) explained the starting pay ranges and comparisons: "On the old range for the City of Rock Island, that's at 25.62 as the first step. The new would be 26.90, and then Q-Comm would be at 27.95." He said the telecommunicator classification is represented under AFSCME (professional local) and described how step increases and merit differentials operate.

Council members pressed on turnover, retention and whether pay alone explained departures. Robert said he did not have examples of telecommunicators leaving specifically for compensation in the last five years, noting some separations were retirements or failures to complete training. He also described current staffing: eight full-time telecommunicators on staff compared with an authorized 12, with two additional staff in training.

Council debated whether the city should pursue a broader, citywide compensation study to address other positions that may fall below market rates; staff said a citywide compensation study would require budget allocation and could produce more widespread adjustments. On union issues, staff said AFSCME agreed to discuss individual classification review to help retain staff in a position that requires significant training investment.

The motion to approve the reclassification and wage increases passed by roll call. The roll-call vote recorded one dissenting vote (Barnes).