Some city workers this year will receive pay raises that have been frozen for a decade.
City Manager Debbie Lamb said Tuesday during a city commission meeting that staff is working to give employees the step raises that they would have received if the increases weren’t partially frozen 10 years ago because of budget constraints. Newer workers can look forward to receiving step raises as they reach yearly milestones.
Since late 2008 city workers have received only two step raises, one after six months and the other after 12 months of being hired or promoted to a new position. They didn’t receive the other two step raises that previously were awarded to city workers after 24 months and 42 months on the job. All workers did receive cost-of-living wage increases but those have been sporadic.
Lamb said the step raises again will be awarded this year, with some restructuring. The raises now will be divided into 10 steps instead of five. This year, some workers’ wages will go up one or two steps. All city employees also will receive a 1 percent raise. Lamb said all of the raises can be given while staying within the budget city commissioners set for 2019.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)