Ark Valley News - Valley staff to get pay raises

Valley staff to get pay raises
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: June 23, 2022

Fighting a "battle for talent," the City of Valley Center is giving its employees a bump in pay.

The city council on June 21 approved a proposal that increases pay rates across the board, focusing heavier on employees who have been with the city longer.

The raises will be a combination of cost of living adjustments and merit increases.

Barry Smith, assistant city administrator, said it is difficult to attract and retain employees when their pay is below what other area cities pay.

For example, he said, a starting police officer in Valley Center is paid $19.48 per hour, more than $4 less per hour than Bel Aire.

The one-time increases by years of service include 1 percent merit for less than a year, 1.5 percent COLA and 2 percent merit for up to two years, 3 percent COLA and 3 percent merit for up to three years and 4.5 percent COLA and 4 percent merit for three or more.

The pay increases will start in July. The cost of living adjustments stay with the positions.

Though the council's approval was unanimous, some members said the steep increases were difficult to accept.

"What do I say to Joe Schmo on the street who says, ‘I didn't get 8.5 percent?'" council member Dale Kerstetter asked.

"We have openings," City Administrator Brent Clark answered.

In addition to the one-time bump, employees will receive up to a 4 percent pay increase in January (1.5 percent in a cost of living adjustment and up to 2.5 percent for a merit increase). Historically, city employees have been given up to 3 percent merit increases each year.

"If you look at our overall budget, we are in great shape," Clark said. "One area we're lacking in is personnel."

The raises will increase the city's payroll by nearly $200,000.

Department heads thanked the city council for approving the proposed raises for their employees.

"I know this means a lot to them that you did this tonight," Police Chief Lloyd Newman said.

The pay increases are included in a proposed 2023 city budget that holds the line on property taxes.

The city council discussed the budget June 21. As proposed, the property tax mill levy would remain at 54.8 mills. Thanks to a 7.2 percent increase in overall property valuations in the city, the levy would bring in $235,000 more in tax revenue for 2023. The budget also will benefit by a $200,000 jump in sales tax revenue.

"Even though our valuation has increased, we're not increasing the mill rate," council member Dale Kerstetter said. "… I just appreciate we're not increasing it like other cities."

Besides the employee raises, the budget includes the addition of four employee positions — two full-time firefighters, one community development employee and one parks and public buildings employee. Seasonal staff for parks would be eliminated.

The budget will be discussed further on July 5.

In other business June 21, the council:

•Heard a presentation from Sedgwick County's new EMS director, Kevin Lanterman.

•Approved the re-appointment of Jamie Anderson to a four-year term on the Valley Center Recreation Commission board.

Council member Ben Anderson was not at the meeting.