Agenda - Council - 01/09/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I Councilmember Hardin commented that this adds up to significant dollars. Motion by Councilmember Zimmerman and seconded by Councilmember Hardin to recommend .Council accept the resignation of Accountant Jennifer Swendsen, that the position not be replaced in the immediate future, but that 120 hours of the position remain in the 1995 budget in order to allow for the extra hours necessary during the computer conversion. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Councilmembers Zimmerman and Hardin. Voting No: None. Case #2: 1995 Wages for Fire Fighters City Administrator Schroeder stated this case is to address the 1995 wages for the Ramsey Fire Fighters. He stated he is not recommending any additional contribution to the Fire Relief over and above what currently exists. The wages at $5.00 per increment have been at the same rate since the Department began in August 1988. Mr. Schroeder stated that a survey was conducted with others cities of the 10,000 to 25,000 population range, to ascertain their average current wage for fire calls, drills, meetings and officer wages. Comparatives for drills and meetings range from "no pay" to $10.00 per hour. Therefore the current level of $5.00 per increment is somewhere in the middle. He stated that the Council recently passed a wage policy that states Ramsey's intent for payment of wages is to achieve the market mean for cities between 10,000 and 25,000 in population. Further, that for any classification or group of employees, this mean would be the goal after about a seven-year service level average of the group of employees under discussion. As of January 1995, the Fire Department will have an average service level of approximately 4.6 years. It appears that $8/hour is the market mean for comparable cities. Following the same formatas other City staff, this results in a recommended 1995 wage of $6.85, with a budgeted increase to $7.20 in 1996. Mr. Schroeder reported that the Fire Chief has suggested that there may be merit in retaining the $5.00 rate for probationary employees. With regard to officer pay, he recommended that for whatever the Chief receives, the other officers receive a prorated portion. Keeping in mind Ramsey's current complement and structure of the department, it is recommended that the Assistant Chief receive 70 percent of Chief pay, Captains receive 35 percent and Lieutenants receive 20 percent. He added that Staff is not recommending a wage increase for the Lieutenants, Secretary or Training Officer positions in 1995, but that they will be re-evaluated for 1996. He reported that the 1995 cost increase is estimated to be $8,731.43. The 1995 budget allocation for Fire Department wage increases is $8,073.75, which results in a budget shortfall of $657.68. He suggested this amount could be reallocated from the contingency fund without major impact on the proposed 1995 budget. Mr. Schroeder stated he had spoken about this proposal with the Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief and they are in agreement. Assistant Chief Kapler felt that this proposal will be well accepted by the Fire Fighters. He stated he would also recognize that the City contributes about $1,000 toward the disability insurance for the fire fighters and the cost for the audit which is about $1,500. Motion by Councilmember Zimmerman and seconded by Councilmember Hardin to recommend City Council approve that the non-probationary Fire Department increment pay for 1995 calls be increased to $6.85/increment with a second increase to $7.20 for 1996. Retain the pay for drills, meetings, and probationary employees at $5.00 per increment. The annual officer wages for 1995 is recommended to be as follows: Chief- $1,200 Assistant Chief- $840 Captains ~ $420 - Lieutenants - $240 - Secretary - $180 Training Officer - $180. Personnel Committee/October 11, 1994 Page 2 of 3