Council to Consider Plan Monday
Top Row: Terry Massoglia, Bob Finsland, Mike Herrick, Dennis Dalbec, Esther Dalbec Bottom Row: Dan Olson, Tom Fennessey, Warren Bender, Jack Sweeney, Denise McDonald
The city has allocated over $300,000 in this year’s budget for potential salary and wage increases for city employees. The plan under consideration could increase wages by just over $180,000 according to Jean Vito, finance director for the City of Superior.
Carlson-Dettman Consulting was hired by the city to undertake a study of city pay practices and wages, and found that Superior is fairly competitive when compared to the overall job market. The study reviewed job classifications and compensation for about 195 city employees, including library staff. However, since the library board is independent of the city in its statutory responsibilities to employees, a separate plan would have to be presented to the library’s board.
The Carlson-Dettman report states that “overall, the city is estimated to be paying at 95.7 percent of the average market for the benchmark positions.” This report will be present to the Superior City Council Monday night. It also points out that the salaries and benefit packages granted city employees are competitive with the private sector.
Should the Council adopt the recommendations of the study, employees who earn less than the minimum in their pay range would receive raises to bring them to the low end of prevalent pay rates for similar jobs. Employees currently earning at the minimum level and above would be eligible for an increase in the first pay period in January. Employees will be able to appeal any pay rate decisions.
“Public sector occupations continue to be career-level occupations,” according to the study. “In other words, employees tend to view their positions as destinations rather than transitional jobs found in many private sector occupations.”
The Council at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Room 201 of the Government Center.
