Virginia City Council implements significant compensation increases for public safety employees

The Newport News City Council held a work session on April 8, 2025, focusing on employee compensation and investment initiatives. The meeting began with a discussion on the staffing needs within the Commonwealth Attorney's Office, highlighting the importance of prioritizing these positions in the context of broader state objectives.

Human Resources Director, Miss Allison, presented updates on recent implementations in employee compensation programs. She announced the successful rollout of the public safety step plan, which took effect in November 2024. This initiative resulted in salary increases totaling $4.35 million, benefiting over 900 sworn public safety employees, including police, fire, and sheriff personnel. The average salary increase for these officers was reported at 8.5%, marking a significant achievement for the city.

Following this, Miss Allison detailed the second phase of the employee compensation project, which involved transitioning 2,000 non-sworn employees to a new broadband pay scale effective March 31, 2025. This phase included a total of $2.05 million in salary adjustments, with an average increase of 7.5% for those affected by the new pay structure. The city has implemented a market-based pay approach to better align salaries with job responsibilities.

Additionally, the council discussed a proposed 3% general wage increase for eligible non-sworn employees for the current year, building on a cumulative 16% adjustment over the past three years. Miss Allison also introduced new compensation programs, including a breakthrough bonus initiative aimed at attracting employees with Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs). This program has reportedly led to over 50 new hires or referrals in its first year.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue enhancing employee compensation and addressing staffing needs across various city departments, including adjustments in pay for the Commonwealth Attorney and Public Defender's Office. The council expressed appreciation for the efforts made by staff in achieving these significant milestones in employee investment.