1.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

For purposes of compensation structure, the City's general employees (non-public safety staff) fall into two main categories: those covered by collective bargaining agreements negotiated with unions and those who are not, i.e. civil service and non-classified. The two general employee unions are the Federation of Public Employees (FOPE), whose membership is composed of Public Works operational staff, and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which represents clerical and related staff. Civil service/non-classified employees include engineering staff, management, financial services professionals, planners, human resources staff, and related positions.

Historically, the recommended percentage increase in civil service and non-classified employees' wages has been intended to provide an adjustment equal to that provided to the City’s AFSCME and FOPE members to ensure equity within the City's workforce.

The City has reached agreements with both AFSCME and FOPE for 5% base wage increases for both Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025 and also agreed to raise the salary ranges both years by the amount of the base wage increases. The salary range increases will raise the starting salaries and the "topped out" salaries by 5% each year, and will help keep City salaries competitive with surrounding agencies, and will make lump-sum payments to topped out members unnecessary for both years as those employees will receive the same wage increases as other employees. AFSCME and FOPE have both agreed to this offer and their memberships have approved (ratified) the new negotiated agreements. A separate item on this agenda addresses Commission approval of FOPE's agreement.