Personnel Committee Minutes
May 7, 2018, 6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
Attendees: Wes Lester, Scott Winkler, Beryl Grant, Pete Lane, Morgan Drew, Jeff McFrederick, Tonya Kennedy
The meeting was called to discuss wages for the upcoming budget so all departments would be on the same page for 2018-19 budget. Discussion was directed on where the City wants to be on wages and how to get there.
The City’s primary goal is to retain good employees. At this time, the City’s wages start low and it takes too long to get an employee up to the correct rate.
On the police pay scale, it hasn’t been adjusted since it was adopted. The original scale would have been adjusted with COLA’s each year. Because this has not happened, it is falling behind. Morgan stated he could trim the bottom two lines of the salary schedule and that would start a new officer around $16, which would be more accurate.
Jeff stated he could eliminate the bottom of his pay scale too; however he developed it, so it’s pretty accurate. He would review it and gather information from other like cities.
Tonya has been working to get her employees paid a better rate, based upon goal setting and completion of goals. They still have a little ways to go to be at a good rate.
Beryl suggested the department heads contact other Cities in like sizes to gather information about their pay scale. Beryl felt the City is hiring at a too low rate. She suggested the department heads tweak the bottom end so the starting wage is higher. Department Heads will monitor their employees and make sure they are well trained and can do their job well.
Pete wanted to keep the salaries competitive so the City can keep the best people.
Department head pay was discussed. Police and public works are salaried. Jeff and Morgan both stated they try to take less so their employees can make more. They want to retain good people and only ask for what is fair. Tonya will look at other salaries for those cities in similar size.
For Snowhaven, Scott felt Mr. Wasem needed to have a five year plan for what’s necessary on the hill. The recreation committee should set the hill manager’s salary, just like they set the pool manager’s salary.
It was also suggested to adopt a pre-employment drug test program. Tonya will contact ICRMP for additional information.
The committee will meet again on June 4th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss wage scales.
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 P.M.
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Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk
