08-02-2021 Council Work Session Packet

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WS – Item 5 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item No. 5 Date: August 2, 2021 To: City Council From: Meg Sawyer, Human Resources Manager Re: POC Firefighter Wages Background Staff is requesting that the City Council give consideration to an amendment to the Compensation Plan for Paid On-Call Fire Personnel. In 2014, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 14-61, which established the compensation plan for paid on-call fire personnel. In 2016, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 16-97, which amended the compensation plan for paid on-call fire personnel, specifically the pre-service training hourly rate. At the time, this rate was below minimum wage. The League of Minnesota Cities issued guidance in 2017 that POC Firefighter Wages were not subject to the minimum wage law, and as such, the Paid On-Call Firefighter Compensation Plan has not been amended since. Staff has reviewed the starting hourly rates for paid-on call fire staff in the metro area. Starting hourly rates range from $10.25 to $16.88. Based on this review, and in an effort to continue to recruit and retain paid on-call fire personnel, staff is recommending an increase in the starting hourly rate of pay from $10.50 to $15.00. In addition, to continue to demonstrate the City of Lino Lakes’ commitment to continued professional development and the value of retaining an experienced workforce, staff is recommending an increase to the “years of service” wage bands as follows: Current Hourly Wage Recommended Hourly Wage Starting Wage $10.50 $15.00 Upon Completion of 5 Years of Service $13.50 $16.50 Upon Completion of 10 Years of Service $14.00 $17.08 Upon Completion of 15 Years of Service $14.50 $17.68 Upon Completion of 20 Years of Service $15.00 $18.29 The budget impact of the proposed amendments are approximately $12,000. Staff has included this in the 2022 proposed budget that will be reviewed by the Council during a Special Budget Work Session on August 9, 2021.