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Special Council Meeting August 12, 2021 Page 2 recommendations were based on job specific information rather than people -specific classifications. Council Member Pankaj inquired if there would be an annual increase. Mr. Path said yes and no. He said for Civil Service, there would be a three-year plan to get those employees caught up according to the survey. Mr. Path said this would get the non -civil service employees caught up. Council Member Pankaj also inquired if they could adjust the three-year plan later down the road. Mr. Path said they could do so, as there was not a guarantee for the next year. Mayor Portugal inquired if there was equity based on qualification and experience. She also asked if Mr. Path ever saw a need to re-classify a position and the responsibilities, would that person be eligible for a pay increase. Mr. Path said yes, if there was a reclassification he would get Mr. Waverly to study and give them a fair market value for that position. Mayor Portugal expressed appreciation to staff for their hard work and to Mr. Path for all of his hard work. She thanked Mr. Path for tackling this long over -due project. Council Member Pilgrim commended City staff for their service and thanked Mr. Path for a good budget. He said he believed in Mr. Path and his team. Council Member Pilgrim asked about the 7-14 proposed match for the fund retirement and inquired if they could instead do some type of sign on bonus. Mr. Path said the firefighters had their own pension fund. Fire Chief Thomas McMonigle said the increase in salaries would be helpful in recruiting and retaining employees. Assistant Police Chief Randy Tuttle also said the increase in salaries would help in getting people with experience, and they could start an officer at a level pursuant to experience. He also said the police department did have a sign on bonus with the exception of former employees. Mayor Portugal said that over the last couple of months she had met nearly every employee. She said Mr. Path had worked very hard on this process. Mayor Pro -Tem Hughes said he was pleased with the study and that the employees needed and deserved an increase in their salaries. He thanked the employees for their service to the City. He also thanked Mr. Path for his hard work on this needed salary survey. Council Member Pankaj left the meeting at 6:50 p.m. Mr. Path clarified the total proposed revenue budget was $58.6 million which included $11.3 million in funds dedicated for specific purposes of the proposed $47.3 million operational budget, which was a $7.3 million increase from 2020-21. He said the general fund budget of $25.9 million included a $1.1 million increase from last year, and the Water and Sewer fund of $16.6 million reflected a $1.3 million increase from 2020-21. He said the additional increases in the proposed operational budget included $656,872 for the Cox Field Airport Fund, a Coronavirus Relief Fund of $714,930 and an American Rescue Plan Fund of $3 million with $640,000 in reserve. Mr. Path said the budget came with a proposed 45.373 cents per $100 valuation tax rate, a decrease of 2.7 cents from the prior year and one that brings a 3.5% increase in general fund revenue which was the highest amount allowed by State law without voter approval. Mr. Path reported the budget was balanced with roughly $343,000 from the general revenue fund balance. Mr. Path gave an overview of each department and asked if there were any questions. Council Member Pilgrim wanted to know if they were going to improve the fire rating. Chief