City to raise employee wages

City employees will be getting a raise next year if the proposed 2022 budget is approved.

Using a 2021 Association of Washington Cities salary survey for comparison, officials said employees lag behind their peers in similar-sized cities.

To start closing the gap, a 3% cost-of-living adjustment is being budgeted for city staff, with a 4% COLA for the police chief, public works supervisor and clerk-treasurer.

In a Nov. 16 memo, the mayor and City Council’s Finance Committee said the increases are “a step toward bridging the wage gap.”

The planned raise is the third in the last four years.

In 2019, the budget included a 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment. In 2020, the increase was 1%.

There was not a cost-of-living adjustment for city employees this year.

In addition to the raises, the city is increasing its minimum wage to $14.49 per hour in accordance with state law.

City officials discussed the budget and had a related public hearing Nov. 16.

In other budget areas, Asuris health insurance premiums are increasing 5.8%.

The city also hopes to bolster its ranks by adding a fifth police officer (approved in 2020), a public works supervisor and a part-time deputy clerk-treasurer.

Tourism funds

The council also discussed tourism fund applications.

Requests exceeded revenues in the fund – referred to locally as “110 funds.”

To align expenditures with available resources, Mayor Linda Kadlec and Clerk-Treasurer Julie Flyckt approached Innovia Foundation to fund so-called “wayfinding” and “ghost” signs through its Beautification Fund. Both were approved.

The golf course award was reduced to $20,000 for utilities, insurance and communications.

The Ritzville Downtown Development Association request included a funding request to pay for taxes and equipment, which are not allowable expenses. So, the request was reduced to $24,800.

The Chamber of Commerce Request was reduced to $30,000 to meet the available funds in the budget.

No members of the public were present for the hearing.

In other business:

• The council discussed bids for the Well No. 8 replacement project, with Dave Verela of Verela Engineering and Management. Two bids were received for drilling a new shaft, and decommissioning the old one. The bids include options for a 20 inch and a 16 inch diameter pump chamber. Schneider Equipment Inc. – doing business as Schneider Water Services of St. Paul, Ore. – was selected as the successful bidder. Verela will begin the review and approval process.

• The council agreed to close Washington Street, between Main and Railroad, from 2-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, for the city’s annual Festival of Lights at Pioneer Square.