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Council debates flat-dollar raises vs. percentage COLA; staff recommends modeling 3% and switching disability coverage to Humana
Summary
Councilmembers discussed pay-increase options and benefits. Staff presented models showing how flat-dollar increases affect pay bands; the group agreed to model a 3% increase and staff proposed switching disability insurance from Hartford to Humana with a payroll-collected premium for 54 employees.
City staff presented models showing distributional effects of flat-dollar raises ($0.75, $1, $1.50 per hour) versus percentage increases across pay bands. Several council members opposed a dollar-per-hour approach, saying it would create compression; one said a straight percentage across the board is preferable. The group agreed to model a 3% increase for planning purposes.
On benefits, Bruce said the city has had inconsistent service from Hartford and proposed moving disability coverage to Humana to bundle discounts with dental and vision. He said current premiums for 54 employees total $29,800 per year (about $551 per person annually, roughly $45 per month) and described payroll collection as the likely implementation approach.
