REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Amending the City’s Salary Resolution and Schedule of Pay to Increase Salaries for Pay Plan Category A (Communication Officers Association) Effective March 3, 2024
Report
BACKGROUND
The 2022-2025 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Communication Officers Association (COA), which represents Public Safety Dispatchers-in-Training, Public Safety Dispatchers, and Senior Public Safety Dispatchers, provides for a salary adjustment in 2024 based on market survey data of total compensation for comparable positions in 12 Bay Area cities at the rate of five percent (5%) above the survey average.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.3.1 Legislative Management - Goals and Policies, Goal 7.3D: Maintain a quality workforce, consistent with state and federal laws, City Charter, and adopted policies in order to assure that City services are provided in an effective, efficient, and high-quality manner.
The proposed increases are in accordance with the provisions of the MOU between the City of Sunnyvale and the COA.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(4) in that is a fiscal activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant impact on the environment.
DISCUSSION
The current MOU with COA provides specific language (Article 15 - Wages, Section 15.4) to determine salary adjustments based upon an annual market survey of total compensation for 12 Bay Area cities (Alameda, Concord, Fremont, Hayward, Milpitas, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Richmond, San Jose, San Leandro, San Mateo, and Santa Clara). The survey formula provides that Sunnyvale Public Safety Dispatchers will receive 5% above the survey average on total compensation. The survey is conducted during the first 15 days of January, and the salary adjustments are effective the first full pay period following Council approval each year during the term of the MOU.
Based on the COA MOU requirements, and the 2024 compensation survey results (Attachment 1), it is recommended that the Schedule of Pay of the Salary Resolution be amended to adopt new pay rates for COA represented positions with an increase of 7.7%, effective March 3, 2024.
As these terms and conditions have been negotiated with COA and the City Council approved the MOU, this action is recommended to remain compliant with the agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
The COA represents twenty budgeted positions. The FY 2023/24 Budget includes assumptions on increases in total compensation, which include salaries, benefits, and retirement. Adjustments in salary also affect salary related benefits, including retirement. The salary increase is greater than planned in the FY 2023/24 Adopted Budget. The increase is estimated at $122,394 annually and $3,059,844 over twenty years. The Department of Public Safety will absorb the cost in the current year and the increase will be incorporated into the FY 2024/25 Recommended Budget. Staff will monitor the Department of Public Safety operating budget and return to Council at the end of the fiscal year with a proposed budget modification if the department will be overspent.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution Amending the City’s Salary Resolution and Schedule of Pay to Increase Salaries for Pay Plan Category A (Communication Officers Association) effective March 3, 2024.
Staff
Prepared by: Tina Murphy, Director of Human Resources
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. 01/12/2024 COA Total Compensation Survey
2. Resolution Amending the Pay Schedule to Reflect Salary Increases for Pay Plan Category A (Communication Officers Association (COA))