City leaders recently incentivized the retirement of long-term city employees. The five to six-figure payouts would pave the way to less expensive replacements. However, on Tuesday, 20 January, the city council will vote on studying the pay ranges of jobs within the city. Taxpayers paid for similar studies over the last two decades. However, the city council last ordered a study in 2017, three years before COVID-19 pandemic. Three years before a massive stimulus fueled inflation. Eight years ago. So, we say, Ready, Fire, Aim.
Perhaps this is one reason the city’s finance director Katie Ebner suggested that city council allow retirements to occur naturally, over time and NOT incentivize early retirement.
Changes in wages are necessary and must be evaluated on a regular cadence. City leaders would be wise to evaluate wage changes before incentivizing retirement buy-outs. The projected savings will need to be reevaluated and will certainly shrink. In addition, funding the wage study will require use of reserve funds.
On a positive note, Christie Wood proposed a way for the city to conduct its own study of wages and save money. HR director Melissa Tossi kindly rejected the idea.