During a recent government meeting, the council held its first reading of the budget, which includes proposed salary adjustments for city employees. The council plans to conduct a public hearing this week, followed by further discussions in future meetings.

Tyler Toms, a resident, raised concerns regarding the budget document, specifically about the cost of living adjustments (COLA) and pay increases for both sworn and non-sworn personnel. According to Toms, the document indicated a 4% COLA for managers and directors, a 4.5% increase for non-sworn staff, and a 3% progression pay increase for non-sworn personnel. However, he sought clarification on whether police and fire department employees would receive similar adjustments.

In response, a council member clarified that sworn employees, including those in police and fire services, would receive a 2.5% COLA, which was not clearly stated in the budget document. Additionally, sworn personnel would continue to receive annual step increases, amounting to a total of 7.5% in pay increases when combining the COLA and step increases.

Nathan Thompson, another resident, echoed Toms' concerns, highlighting that not all police and fire personnel receive annual raises due to the structure of their pay scales. He emphasized the impact of inflation on their salaries and expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed adjustments, noting that many employees may not receive raises in line with the cost of living.

The discussions underscore ongoing concerns regarding compensation for city employees, particularly in public safety roles, as the council prepares to finalize the budget in the coming weeks.