MOUNT VERNON — As the city struggles with recruiting and retaining employees, pay rates were once again a hot topic at Monday’s city council meeting.
The pay scales in question are for hourly non-bargaining unit employees (12) and supervisory and professional positions (21).
The proposed increases run around $449,000 in compensation.
Benefits costs are additional and include pension contributions (14% for management positions, 19.5% for police, and 24% for fire). Legally required and voluntary benefits account for about another 15 percent.
Finding the pay rates data
A 2021 Clemens-Nelson study examined compensation rates in cities comparable to Mount Vernon. Safety-service Director Tanner Salyers said the information came with “sticker shock,” and council members opted for phasing in new rates rather than all at once.
“That phase-in never really occurred,” he said. “That came with great consternation to our city employees, particularly the people that we’re looking at right now [with this legislation].”
After reviewing and rewriting job descriptions, the city asked for another study. This time, Clemens-Nelson looked at Columbus suburbs, competitive cities, and statewide numbers to determine market-based replacement rates plus credentialing.
Statewide numbers came through the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC).
The numbers council members reviewed on Monday meshed 2021 Clemens-Nelson and 2023 MORPC data. Salyers said both data sets are outdated.
Human Resources Director Denise Neff categorized the increases as salary adjustments; Councilwoman Tammy Woods categorized them as raises.
“It might seem like a raise, but it’s a salary adjustment. The data that came in adjusts where their salaries should be,” Neff said.
“Their salaries are going to go up, so I’m going to consider that a raise,” Woods responded.
“If we would have been appropriately compensating folks over the years, even from 2021, … and phased it in over the last four years, this wouldn’t be such sticker shock now,” Salyers said.
“I wouldn’t call that a raise. These are adjustments based on market-based replacement. An adjustment is what these people have been owed for years.”
The proposed adjustments are in the mid-level range. Salyers expects the final Clemens-Nelson data to be closer to the high-end numbers.
Finding the money for higher pay rates
Council members Woods and Janis Seavolt questioned where the money would come from to cover the cost of higher pay rates.
“I want a balanced budget. I would love to give everybody a raise, or whatever you’d like to call it. I’d like to pay them what they are worth, but no matter what you pay people, there will always be someone offering more,” Seavolt said, adding she is against asking taxpayers for an increase.
Salyers said the city has worked for years to maintain a stable fiscal condition and that council can reappropriate funds as needed. He also said department heads budgeted high numbers to allow for reappropriation.
“We will sit down and find the means to make these things happen. You have to lean on the professionalism of our department heads to find out how we can make it happen,” he said, adding that it does not necessarily mean project cuts.
Mayor Matt Starr noted tax revenue has risen over the past four years, and police and fire secured $55 million in grants.
Additionally, the city raised its tap and permit fees for water and sewer hookups. That brought in an extra $266,180 in 2023 compared to 2022.
“I do believe when we get good employees, we need to take care of them,” Councilman Mel Severns said, noting the cost to rehire is high. “Where do we come up with the $420,000 to make these adjustments? I don’t know the answer to that right now.”
Councilman James Mahan said the city has “essentially left these people behind.”
“I think that we need to look at making up lost ground — and not kick this down the road again — as soon as we can,” he said.
Legislative action
Council members gave a second reading to an ordinance creating the Mount Vernon Volunteer Firefighters’ Dependents Fund Board.
When the city assumed fire coverage for College Township, it also assumed the College Township Volunteer Fire Department’s volunteer program.
As volunteers, these firefighters are not included in any state pension program.
“If there’s any loss of life, then this board will support dependents and spouses,” Fire Chief Chad Christopher explained.
Establishing the board brings the MVFD into compliance with the Ohio Revised Code.
City council members took the following additional actions:
•By a 4-3 vote rejected Phase 2 of the city’s strategic plan
•By a 4-3 vote passed amended legislation authorizing the city to contract with ODOT for design of Edgewood Road improvements
•Authorized on second reading the city to contract with Gray Matter Systems for Phase 7 of water treatment plant upgrades
•Waived the three readings and adopted legislation authorizing the city to participate in ODOT’s cooperative purchasing program for road salt and to sell a 1994 dump truck used in the Public Works Department
•Held the first reading on Lemmon Development’s comprehensive plan for Upper Gilchrist Road. A public hearing is scheduled for April 22 at 6:45 p.m.
•Gave the first reading to an ordinance setting a salary of $55,000 and benefits for a full-time recreation director position