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Council hears pay, minimum wage and retention proposals as part of FY2027 budget
Summary
Staff proposed 3.5% merit increases for general employees, 5.5% for public safety sworn employees, and raising the city minimum full‑time wage by $1.31 to $22.31; council discussed career ladder, certification pay and retention bonuses for hard‑to‑fill roles.
City staff outlined proposed pay steps for FY2027 that would add merit increases and a higher minimum wage for full‑time employees.
Don Magner said the core plan includes 3.5% merit‑based increases for general government employees and 5.5% for sworn public safety staff. "Importantly, raising the minimum wage we pay any full time employee by $1.31 to $22.31," Magner said, adding the budget includes certification pay increases and investments in recruitment and training. Magner and Bob described a proposed career‑ladder program and targeted certification pay and retention incentives aimed at water/wastewater and solid‑waste frontline roles where vacancy rates are high.
Councilmembers supported the principle of improving recruitment and retention but asked for more detail on costs and timing; staff said some items are placeholders to be discussed in October and could be adjusted before formal adoption.
