Solid waste worker pay budget amendment

At a glance

Based on auto-generated captions; names and details may be misheard.

What: a budget amendment funding pay raises for solid waste workers: 5% (2% for one position) and a $22 hourly floor.
Where it stands: taken to a voice vote in the Budget Committee on 10/20/2026; the result is unclear in the captions, and members said they wanted the Q1 numbers on November 10.
Next: full council.

5% increase across solid waste positions except the special equipment operator (2%); hourly wage raised from $20 to $22, described as a preview of the administration's direction.
Cost: about $786,000 general fund, $1.4 million solid waste fund, $66,000 sewer fund and $94,000 storm water fund.
Background: the issue went to impasse during budget season; the city agreed to revisit through the first quarter. The union may still pursue impasse and this raise is to be considered in next year's budget talks.

The deputy HR chief said none of the targeted increases exceed the compensation study ranges except the one reduced to 2%.
The sewer fund has had negative cash on hand; the CFO said receivables offset it and the $66,000 will come from expense reductions; the rate increase brought in about $3.5 million in its first month (not to be extrapolated).
Councilman Smiley, who had proposed raises in the budget session, said it is about priorities and urged support.

About 9 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting	Minutes
2026-10-20 - City Council Committees	9

2026-10-20 - City Council Committees — Amendment presented and taken to a voice vote.