HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - April 6, 2022 H-01CITY OF
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CALIFORNIA
AGENDA ITEM H owl
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Adopt Resolution Approving Salary Adjustment for Water and Wastewater Plant Operator
Classifications
MEETING DATE: April 6, 2022
PREPARED BY: Human Resources Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt resolution approving salary adjustments for Water and Wastewater
Plant Operator classifications.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Public Works Department has experienced severe difficulty attracting
and retaining qualified applicants who possess the required state
certifications and have the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for the
Water and Wastewater Plant Operator classifications.
The Public Works Department manages the White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility (White Slough) and
the Surface Water Treatment Plant (Water Plant) which are highly regulated by the State of California.
Employees who operate the Plants, Water and Wastewater Plant Operators, must possess state issued
certifications after successfully completing hours of classroom instruction, testing and numerous hours of work
under the supervision of qualified personnel. It is critical that employees meet these requirements to ensure the
City meets the state's standards and that water and wastewater is treated properly pursuant to state regulations.
Research indicates the City's compensation for the Operator positions are not competitive in the market. Among
our comparable agencies, Lodi salaries are approximately three to twelve percent below market (average) and
significantly below similar positions in surrounding Bay Area wastewater facilities. Previous efforts to recruit for
the position of Wastewater Plant Operator III was unsuccessful and there has been a vacancy in the Department
for over two years. With the recent resignation of the Wastewater Operations Supervisor, the White Slough
facility is down two staff members. Human Resources recently re -opened the Wastewater Plant Operator III and
received two qualified applications; however, both applicants were no-shows to their scheduled interview.
Additionally, surrounding agencies have recently opened recruitments for similar Operator positions that pay
substantially higher wages. Increasing the salaries in Lodi will help to retain our current staff, provide competitive
wages, and attract qualified applicants for the current vacancies. Recent recruitments for the Water Plant
Operator have also been challenging and staff experienced the same difficulty in attracting qualified applicants.
We were successful in hiring a Water Plant Operator during the last recruitment; however, we are concerned
about retention of existing staff.
The Water and Wastewater Plant Operator salaries are benchmarked together and staff propose to apply the
increase to both Water and Wastewater Plant Operator classifications. The City proposes to increase the base
APPROVED: Steve Schwabauer
Stephen Schwabauer, City Manager
salary of the Water Plant Operator II/III and the Wastewater Plant Operator 1/11/III by ten percent (10%), and to
increase the base salary of the Wastewater Operations Supervisor by twelve percent (12%).
The proposed salary adjustments have been discussed with AFSCME and they are in agreement with the
proposed wage adjustments.
FISCAL IMPACT: At top step, the aggregate difference in base pay for all recommended
salary adjustments is approximately $80,000 per year, if fully staffed.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: All additional costs will be absorbed within existing appropriations.
Andrew Keys
Andrew Keys
Deputy City Manager/Internal Services Director
Adele Post
Adele Post
Human Resources Manager
Signature:
Email: apost@lodi.gov
Signature:
Email: sschwabauer@lodi.gov
Signature: 00 d.J� xv�oh)
Email: akeys@lodi.gov
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-84
A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL
APPROVING SALARY ADJUSTMENT FOR
SPECIFIC CLASSIFICATIONS WITHIN THE
WATER AND WASTEWATER PLANT OPERATOR SERIES
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lodi City Council does hereby approve
the salary adjustment for specific classifications within the Water and Wastewater Plant Operator
series; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the new salary ranges for the Water Plant Operator
II/III, Wastewater Plant Operator 1/II/III, and the Wastewater Operators Supervisor are hereby
approved and shall be as follows:
Classification
Step 0
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Water Plant Operator II
$66,764.75
$70,103.08
$73,608.19
$77,288.57
$81,152.94
Water Plant Operator III
$73,441.41
$77,113.34
$80,968.94
$85,017.49
$89,268.30
Wastewater Plant Operator 1
$60,693.61
$63,728.35
$66,914.69
$70,260.44
$73,773.50
Wastewater Plant Operator II
$66,764.75
$70,103.08
$73,608.19
$77,288.57
$81,152.94
Wastewater Plant Operator III
$73,441.41
$77,113.34
$80,968.94
$85,017.49
$89,268.30
Wastewater Operations
Supervisor
$86,026.64
$90,327.89
$94,844.34
$99,586.47
$104,565.90
Dated: April 6, 2022
I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2022-84 was passed and adopted by the City Council
of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held April 6, 2022, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Hothi, Khan, Kuehne, and Nakanishi
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Mayor Chandler
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
PAMELA M. FARRIS
Assistant City Clerk
2022-84