Columbia City Council to vote on salary adjustments for Water and Light Association

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council will vote on a plan aimed at addressing pay compression during Monday night's meeting.

According to the meeting's agenda, the plan includes looking into increasing pay for unrepresented workers in the union and employees represented by the Water and Light Association. The plan was developed by the city and financial experts to tackle the issue.

Funds were allocated by the city council for experts to conduct a thorough study on job classifications and compensation, with the Segal Company Midwest Incorporated initiating the project in October 2021.

Phase 1 of the study was implemented at the start of the fiscal year of 2024, establishing pay ranges approximately 6.4% higher than the market average.

The plan seeks to alleviate pay compression, which occurs when there is little or no difference in salary between newly hired employees and those who have been in the same position longer.

If approved, starting June 9, all Water and Light Association employees would receive a pay increase.

The increase would be 3% above the minimum pay range for each year they have been in their position, and up to a maximum of 75% of the pay range.

The plan would also allow supervisors to earn 1% more than their highest-paid employees.

Employees already earning a rate equal to or higher than the calculated Segal plan rate will not receive an adjustment, and no supervisor will surpass the maximum specified pay for their position.

According to the agenda, the finance department believes the proposed pay adjustments for compression can be covered by unused funds in the current budget. Finances will be monitored and additional funds will be requested, if necessary, according to the agenda.

Monday's meeting is at Columbia City Hall at 7 p.m.