Agenda - Council - 09/23/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ~0~_ CASE #: 1997 EXEMPT WAGES - PAY FOR PERFORMANCE by Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator Background: The general practice of wage determinations at the City of Ramsey has been to settle the contracts for the organized groups and then to grant wages to exempt personnel with a parity relationship to the unions. The two unions are LELS which represents police patrol, and AFSCME which represents maintenance, clerical and technical employees. The positions currently classified as exempt for 1997 include: City Administrator, Police Chief, Finance Director, CityEngineer, Administrative Services Manager, Police Sergeants (2), Public Works Supervisors (2), Senior Accountant, Deputy City Clerk. At the time wages for 1997 were being considered, the current sergeants and police chief had not yet been appointed. Further, as part of those promotional opportunities it was understood that wages for sergeants and police chief would not be reconsidered during 1997 for 1997. On September 9, 1996, Council granted 1996 and 1997 wage improvements to the exempt positions. As a result of wide disparity on the Council regarding compensation goals for this group, the process was ultimately settled by an "across the board" increase of 3%. In addition, Council set aside an additional 2% of exempt payroll for performance based pay. The direction from Council was that exempt personnel would work out a concensus merit system for presentation to Council (after which further refinement was expected to occur). '-' I felt the above compromise' t~eld great promise in that it removed the City Administrator from the development of the process. It was set up with those persons subject to the merit system building and recommending that system to Council without participation from me with any inherent bias that I might bring to that table. Ultimately, however, the participants in the discussion were not able to agree on a pay-for-performance plan. The concerns of the group are summarized in the attached memo.