Lori I Day

Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services

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, accounting, human resources, 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 workforce.

The City has offered both AFSCME and FOPE a 3% base wage increase for year-1 and year-2 and also offered 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 3% each year, 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. The FOPE has agreed to this offer and their membership approved (ratified) the contract on October 19, 2021.  A separate item on this agenda addresses Commission approval of that agreement.

The City has reached a tentative agreement with AFSCME subject to the same terms (3% base wage increases each year, and 3% salary range adjustments each year). The AFSCME ratification vote for  members will be held soon.

The City has approximately 70 Civil Service and non-classified positions.  This is 1 out 4 positions.  Employees in these positions do not bargain for wage increases. Historically, the City has offered the same annual wage increases to these employees that are being provided to union employees to maintain competitive compensation and parity in the workforce.   These wage increases have taken place at the same time as wage increases for union members.

It is recommended that civil service and non-classified employees be offered the same base wage and salary range  increases that has been accepted by FOPE, and tentatively agreed to by AFSCME subject to ratification of its members.  This base wage increase would be 3% for fiscal year 2022 and 3% for fiscal year 2023.  The fiscal year 2022 increase would be retroactive to the first full pay period in October 2021. Salary ranges would also be increased by 3% each year on October 1, increasing both the minimum starting salaries and the maximum salaries for each position in the non-classified and civil service classes but not enabling any employee to receive a wage increase greater than 3%.  A revised compensation plan reflecting the grade changes will be provided for Commission consideration after review by the Civil Service Board; these changes will be retroactive to proposed wage increases.