Alpine Council approves FY2027 pay package, replaces proposed hire with consulting allocation

The Alpine City Council voted July 14 to approve a package of staff compensation changes that the city says will help retain experienced employees while limiting administrative burden. The motion replaces a proposed new full‑time hire with a $100,000 allocation for professional consulting (planning, finance, and HR), applies a 4% overall increase to staff pay split into a 2% cost‑of‑living increase and a 2% equity allocation, and ties a 1% retention/performance bonus to completion of employee performance reviews.

Council discussion focused on implementation details and equity across positions. Councilwoman Sarah Blackwell moved the post‑conference motion approving a COLA and bonus structure; that motion was recorded in the meeting minutes as: "I move to approve a 2% cola and 1% retention bonus calculated with the base salary in fiscal year 20 26." Council members debated whether to require a position‑by‑position market adjustment; an amendment requesting an additional market‑based implementation was rejected on cost‑benefit grounds. Staff cautioned that adding raises back into the budget will require a public hearing and a formal budget amendment because wages were removed when the FY2027 tentative budget was previously adopted.

Finance staff told the council the overall implementation will affect multiple funds and payroll entries, requiring additional reconciliation. Councilmembers emphasized retention of seasoned staff and the operational value of institutional knowledge while asking staff to return with detailed allocations. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote by the four members recorded in the meeting transcript.